Some Biochemical Changes of Tow plant species Haloxylon Salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge Ex Boiss and Haloxylon Aphyllum Iljin under Soil Salinity of two regions, Playa and Erg

Abstract

Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Boiss and Haloxylon aphyllum Iljin are two important halophytes in desert. Hammada salicornicum and Haloxylon aphyllum Iljin have grown extensively in playa and sand dunes and are essential for supplying of forage for livestock, especially camels. The present study investigated the effects of different soil conditions in two areas (soil saline-sodic of playa and sandy soil in erg), on antioxidant activity, pigments characteristics, total phenolics, glycine and glutamine. The results showed that the highest amounts of chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll were measured 4.35 and 5.72 mgg-1fw in H. aphyllum and playa habitats, respectively. The highest amounts of chlorophyll b with 2.85 mg/g fresh weight were measured in H. salicornicum in playa habitats. The amount of anthocyanin was double in the playa habitats and was more than these two plants. The highest amounts of phenol with 458.97 mg/g fresh weight was measured in playa habitats and in H. aphyllum with 469.53 mg/g fresh weight. The amounts of antioxidant activity in playa habitats and H. aphyllum were significantly more than the erg habitat H. Salicornicum. Glutamine was not significantly different between the two habitats. The highest amounts of glycine betaine were measured in sandy habitats in H. Salicornicum. H. Salicornicum and H. aphyllumknown as halophytes can be countered salinity by various mechanisms, such as improving their biochemical conditions, and thus improving the quality of forage and increasing the foliage preference value.

Keywords

• salinity stress
• antioxidant activity
• anthocyanins
• chlorophyll