EFFECT OF PACLOBUTRAZOL AND PUTRESCINE ON ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES ACTIVITY AND NUTRIENTS CONTENT IN SALT TOLERANT CITRUS ROOTSTOCK SOUR ORANGE UNDER SODIUM CHLORIDE STRESS

The effects of paclobutrazol (PBZ) and putrescine (Put) on antioxidant enzymes activity, proline contents and nutrients uptake were studied on salt tolerant citrus rootstock sour orange. Six-month-old nucellar seedlings grown in pots and subjected to three levels of PBZ and two levels each of salinity and Put for 90 days. Seedlings treated with PBZ or Put alone or in combination had higher anti-oxidant enzymes activities, accumulation of proline and nutrients contents like potassium (K⁺) and calcium (Ca²⁺) under both saline and non-saline conditions. Further, application of PBZ or Put alone or in combination also reduced the accumulation of both Na⁺ and Cl^? ions in leaves and roots in NaCl stressed seedlings. A combined application of 250 mg L^?1 PBZ and 50 mg L^?1 Put proved to be more effective in improving proline and Ca²⁺ content and restricting accumulation of Na⁺ ions in leaf tissues.