H2O2 and NO mitigate salt stress by regulating antioxidant enzymes in in two eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) genotypes

H 2 O 2 and NO are the key molecules of plant signaling and perception. In this study, we aimed at the antioxidant capacity of foliar-applied eggplant genotypes which shows different responses to salinity (Artvin: salt-sensitive; Mardin: salt-tolerant). For this purpose, H 2 O 2 and NO donor (SNP) were sprayed on the leaves of the seedlings for 2 days and then exposed to 100 mM NaCl for 10 days. The amount of Malondialdehyde (MDA), which increased with salt application and is the most important indicator of lipid peroxidation, decreased significantly with individual or combined pretreatments of H 2 O 2 and NO donors. SOD and CAT enzyme activities are affected by foliar spraying of donors. While CAT enzyme activity increased significantly with salt application in both genotypes, it showed a significant increase again with individual or combined application of donors. SOD enzyme activity, on the other hand, showed a minor increase in both genotypes with the application of salt stress, while it was significantly increased with the application of donors individually or together.