Biochemical Modifications and Enhancement of Psoralen Content in Salt-Stressed Seedlings of Psoralea corylifolia Linn.

Abstract

Salt stress is one of the major global problem rendering vast area of land unsuitable for cultivation. Attempts are therefore directed to screen for salt-tolerant plants for the reclamation of the waste-land. The present study was an attempt to search for the salt tolerance potential of an important endangered medicinal plant Psoralea corylifolia, which is the commercial source of psoralen. Psoralea seeds grown on different concentrations of NaCl exhibited variation in percent germination; however, 25 mM NaCl proved better than control and exhibited maximum percent germination with high shoot and root length. Chlorophyll a, b and a+b decreased on higher concentrations of NaCl. Protein content decreased from 50–100 mM NaCl and then again there was an increase from 110 mM NaCl. Psoralen content exhibited variation in salt-stressed seedlings and maximum psoralen was observed in 25 mM NaCl concentration.