Abstract
We evaluated role of exogenous application of moringa leaf extract (MLE) in ameliorating perturbations caused by salinity (200 mM) in some physiological, biochemical and anatomical parameters of two canola varieties i.e. Super (V1) and Punjab (V2). Data analysis revealed significant interaction between salinity and plant attributes while MLE ameliorated effects of salinity. Both varieties exhibited an increase in shoot fresh (57%, 53%) and dry weights (37%, 19%) respectively after foliar application of MLE under salinity. In V1, partic-ularly, this incremented growth corresponded to increase in Chl-a (33.53%), Chl-b (36.79%) under foliar appli-cation of MLE. The results presented that post MLE application in stressed plants caused comparative enhancement in H2O2, MDA, GB and TSS in both varieties but in V1 it was particularly high (27%, 46%, 12%, 13%, respectively) when compared over control. On the other hand, TFAA (31.22%), proline (83.12%), proteins (106%), POD (81.17%), catalase (27.45%), H2O2 (25.47%) and ascorbic acid (74.27%) were also boosted after MLE application in comparison with control. MLE caused a significant enhancement in leaf and stem anatom-ical characteristics in both varieties compared to control. Although increase was observed after MLE applica-tion but V1 responded more strongly than V2. Differential behavior of both varieties to MLE revealed potential of it as biostimulant for plants facing salinity. Overall, variance in photosynthetic pigments, osmo-protectants, antioxidants and changes in anatomical characteristics of leaf and stem due to MLE in V1 and V2 contributed in salinity tolerance.(c) 2023 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.