Photosynthetic response and antioxidant enzyme activity to salt stress in salt-tolerant and salt-susceptible clonal Eucalyptus globulus

Abstract

We studied in chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthesis in salt-stressed Eucalyptus globulus (salt-tolerant clone (STC) and salt-susceptible clone (SSC)). Salt stress (100 mM NaCl) resulted in decrease potential efficiency of ΦPSΙΙ in both clones, however, stable in the potential effciency of Qp in STC. The activity of CuZn-SOD in leaves incresed in STC and remained stable STC under salt stress. These data indicated that the higher CuZn-SOD activity in STC was sufficient to cope with salt stress induced in superoxide production and thereby contribute to the higher photosynthesis.