RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To explore the method of improving the salt resistance ability of seeds and seedlings of Perilla frutescens under NaCl stress. METHODS: Physiological indexes of Perilla frutescens seeds treated by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) under NaCl stress like the germination vigor, germination rate, germination index and vigor index were measured. And other indexes like the activities of nitrate reductase (NR), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) were also measured. RESULTS: The germination indexes of Perilla frutescens seeds under NaCl stress had obvious inhibition. But after the treatment with different concentrations of SNP, every germination indexes were all increased. And the seeds that treated with SNP with the concentration of 0.1 mmol/L has the most significantly increase in every index. The germination vigor was 60.4%, the germination rate was 78.3%, the germination index and vigor index were 13.7 and 0.1093 respectively. The content of MDA was decreased after the treatment of SNP. The activities of four enzymes included NR, SOD, POD and CAT were increased with the treatment of SNP, and get the maximin (1.52 microg/g x h, 0.32 U/mg, 5.9 U/mg and 4.8 U/mg respectively) with the concentration of 0.1 mmol/L SNP. CONCLUSION: SNP with concentration of 0.1 mmol/L could significantly alleviate the damages to the seeds and seedlings of Perilla frutescens under NaCl stress, and promote the salt resistance of the seeds and seedlings.