Eco-physiological responses of pea seedlings to salt stress

The responses of pea seedlings to salt stress (NaCl solutions) were studied at the morphological, physiological and biochemical levels. The results showed that the changes of plant height and root length were significantly related to salt stress. As the salt concentration increased, the plant height and root length slowly declined, and the root moisture content decreased significantly. Chlorophyll content in leaf under different treatments significantly decreased with the treating time. Proline content positively correlated to salt concentration, but did not relate to the treating time. Soluble sugar content increased along with the salt concentration, it began to decline after the peak on 10th day. SOD content increased along with the salt concentration and treating time as well, it reached the maximum on 10th day. POD activity increased with the salt concentration and treating time and its content increased steadily.