EFFECT OF PRETREATMENT WITH METHYL JASMONATE ON THE RESPONSE OF PISUM-SATIVUM TO SALT STRESS

10-day-old pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L. cv. Ran 1) were supplied wi th 10(-5) M methyl jasmonate for 3 days before salinization with 30 mm ol/L NaCl for 3 and 6 days. Salt stress resulted in an increase of fre e proline content, CO2 compensation concentration (Gamma), photorespir ation (R-p), stomatal resistance (r(s)), and activity of glycolate oxi dase (GO) and phosphoglycolate phosphatase (PGP). Net photosynthetic r ate (P-N), transpiration (E), protein content and relative water conte nt (RWC) were decreased. Pretreatment with methyl jasmonate helps the plants to counteract the salt stress or for adaptation to it. P-N, RWC and protein content of these seedlings were higher in comparison to N aCl-treated seedlings. Exogenously supplied jasmonate itself plays the role of a stressor that causes typical stress responses - accumulatio n of free proline, high R-p and Gamma. Pretreatment with methyl jasmon ate leads to a decrease of Na+ and Cl- accumulation in the shoot. This protection is discussed with respect to involvement of methyl jasmona te in osmoregulation or osmoprotection based on increased proline accu mulation and decreased ion accumulation.