Physiological and phytochemical changes induced by seed pretreatment with hydrogen peroxide in Artemisia sieberi under salt stress

Seeds of medicinal plant Artemisia sieberi were pretreated with H2O2 (0, 10, 50, 90, and 140 μM) and grown in saline condition (0 and 150 mM NaCl) for one month. Phytochemical properties such as antioxidant capacity and also salt tolerance in the plans arising from H2O2 pretreated seeds under salt stress were examined. Results showed a decrease in H2O2 and malondialdehyde concentrations in the shoots of pretreated A. sieberi. Furthermore, seed pretreatment with H2O2 (particularly at 50 μM) increased photosynthetic pigments content, antioxidant capacity and dry and fresh weights of shoots in the pretreated plants under both normal and saline conditions. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes increased in all pretreated A. sieberi plants particularly at 50 μM H2O2. Data indicated H2O2pretreatment can induce salt tolerance in A. sieberi by supporting physiological and phytochemical processes such as photosynthesis, reactive oxygen species scavenging and detoxification, and also membrane stability in this species. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide pretreatment enhanced reducing power and antioxidant activity in A. sieberi suggesting an increase in its medicinal properties.