The effect of exogenous application of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the acclimation to salt stress was studied on the basis of photosynthetic changes, indicators of oxidative stress and activity of antioxidant enzymes in leaves of rice plants. Two different concentrations of the H2O2 (1 and 10 μM) were used for the pre-treatment, these concentrations were applied in the nutrient solution two days before the induction of salt stress (100 μM NaCl). The photosynthetic and stomatal limitations after exposure to NaCl were alleviated when the plants were pretreated with 1 μM H2O2. Plants pretreated with H2O2 and submitted to salt stress showed membrane damage lower in compared to plants exposed to NaCl alone. TBARS and H2O2 content was reduced appreciable in plants pretreated with 1 μM H2O2 and exposed to NaCl in relation to not pretreated. The enzymatic antioxidative system in plants exposed to NaCl was mainly induced when there was the 1 μM H2O2 pretreatment. Data suggest that an anticipated exposure to H2O2 may result in more effective acclimation to salt stress.
hydrogen peroxide; oxidative stress; salinity
