Abstract:

      Elongation of the adventitious root was about a half of no NaCl adding control group after the growth of peppermint seedlings in 0.5% (w/v) NaCl contained Hoagland nutrient solution for 72 h. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) of different concentrations (50, 100, 200, 300 μmol/L) was added in 0.5% (w/v) NaCl contained Hoagland nutrient solutions to cultivate peppermint seedlings. Growth situation of adventitious roots was determined 72 hours later. Elongation of adventitious root, total length of root hair and root hair density are significantly increased than those of peppermint cultivated in no SNP solutions when SNP concentration is 100 μmol/L. Histochemical staining reveals that SNP treatment can alleviate peroxidation of membrane lipid and damage to plasma membrane integrity. SNP treatment can also positively regulate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level.

Key words: peppermint, SNP, salt stress, oxidative stress