Effect of vermicompost fertilizer on antioxidant enzymes and chlorophyll contents in Borago officinalis under salinity stress

In order to investigate the compensation of vermicompost application was tested on antioxidant enzymes and chlorophyll contents in borage (Borago officinalis) grown under salinity, a factorial experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments included of vermicompost (zero, 6, 12 and 18 % of w/w soil) and four levels of salinity (Zerro (control), 4, 8 and 12 dS m-1 NaCl). As salinity increased, the activity antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde) were increased significantly against photosynthetic pigments decreases. The use of vermicompost caused to significantly increase chlorophyllb, carotenoids and malondialdehyde. The maximum activity antioxidant enzymes were obtained by treatment with vermicompost (18%) at salinity level of 12 dS m-1 and the highest amount of chlorophylla and total chlorophyll were obtained in the treatment composition of 18% vermicompost and non-salinity stress (control). Therefore, the use of vermicompost as an organic fertilizer, in addition to increasing the activity antioxidant enzymes and the amount of photosynthetic pigments, could be a good strategy to reduce the negative effects of high concentrations of sodium and chlorine ions in soils on borage (Borago officinalis) growth.