Characteristics of oxidative stress of plants with C3 and C4 photosynthesis during salinization

Reaction to oxidative stress caused by the addition of 300 mM NaCl to the nutrient solution is investigated in wheat plants with C3 photosynthesis and in red-colored amaranth plants with C4 photosynthesis. Amaranth plants, unlike wheat, are able to detoxify the superoxide radical with the participation of the enzyme superoxide dismutase and low-molecular-weight antioxidant amarathine, to effectively oppose the accumulation of active oxygen species, and to reduce the intensity of lipid peroxidation processes. A compensatory relation between amaranthine content and superoxide dismutase activity is found in amaranth leaves under salt stress. It is shown that amaranth plants are more resistant to the development of oxidative stress in leaves than wheat plants.