The Effect of Melatonin Applications on Pepper Seedlings Exposed to Salt Stress

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The aim of this study is to determine the effects of melatonin (MEL) applications on seedling properties of the pepper seedlingsexposed to salt stress. The experiment was carried out in pots filled with 1: 1 peat perlite medium. Possibilities of improving salt stress tolerance of pepper (4-true leaf stages) seedlings through MEL application as soil drench in various concentrations (0, 5 and 10 μM) were also explored. Salt-stressed seedlings were watered with 75 μM NaCl for 2 weeks while seedlings in the control treatment were watered with tap water. In order to investigate the effect of MEL application on salt stress, the amount of plant height, fresh weight, stoma conductivity, EC, anthocyanin, chlorophyll and carotenoid were determined. When plant height and fresh weight were examined, the best results were found in 5 μM MEL control (20.6 cm and 36.31 g respectively) application and the lowest in 0 μM MEL (14.5 cm-18.89 g respectively) salt stress application. In terms of stoma conductivity, 10 μM MEL control gave the best results with 124.9 5 mmol m-2 s-1, and 0 μM MEL salt stress treatment had the lowest conductivity with 41.5 mmol m-2 s-1. In terms of EC, 10 μM MEL control application resulted in the least degradation of tissues with 0.23% and 0 μM MEL salt stress application resulted in the highest tissue deterioration with 0.36%. According to the results we obtained, it was determined that MEL application to pepper seedlings could be used to increase tolerance against salt stress and the most suitable MEL concentration was determined as 5 μM.

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Pepper , Melatonin , Salt stress , Stoma conductivity , Plant height

Erciyes University Journal Of The Institute Of Science an‎d Technology

81

Erciyes University Journal Of The Institute Of Science an‎d Technology