A relationship between the antioxidant defence system and salt tolerance in
two clones of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) differing in salt sensitivity
was studied. The antioxidant defence system of the sensitive clone responde
d differently to 100 and 150 mM NaCl. At 100 mM NaCl, growth, dehydroascorb
ate reductase and catalase activities remained unaltered, but chlorophyll a
nd reduced glutathione content decreased (23% and 35%, respectively), while
ascorbate content and superoxide dismutase activity were increased 34% and
63%, with respect to the control (0 mM NaCl). The superoxide dismutase inc
rement was higher under 150 mM NaCl treatment, while a general decrease (ex
cept for dehydroascorbate reductase and catalase activities) in all the ant
ioxidant parameters studied was observed in the sensitive clone. Reduced gl
utathione and ascorbate, the main antioxidant soluble defences, and all ant
ioxidant enzymes (except catalase) were significantly elevated in the toler
ant clone compared to the sensitive one when both were grown in the absence
of NaCl. Under 100 and 150 mM NaCl treatments, no changes in the antioxida
nt stress parameters were detected in the tolerant clone. These results sug
gest a relationship between salt tolerance and the antioxidant defence syst
em in the two clones.