Comparative studies between growth regulators and nanoparticles on growth and mitotic index of pea plants under salinity

To our knowledge, no research study has been carried out on the effects of ascorbic acid (ASA), 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and Nano selenium (N-Se) on the cytological parameters of pea seedlings under salinity stress. Salinity treatment (60 and 120 mM NaCl) was applied. Two concentrations of ASA (50 and 100 ppm), ALA (25 and 50 ppm), and N-Se (10 and 20 ppm), respectively were used individually and in combination with NaCl (60 and 120 mM). Modifications in shoot length, number of leaves, leaf area, chromosomal aberrations and mitotic index were determined. Salinity treatment (120 mM) caused the highest reduction in shoot length, leaf area and mitotic index. A significant increase of chromosomal abnormalities percentage (%) was detected in salinity treatments compared with control.  ASA (100 ppm), ALA (50 ppm) and N-Se (10 ppm) treatments significantly reduced the damaging effect of salinity stress on growth attributes, mitotic index and chromosomal abnormalities percentage (%) and improved seedlings’ performance. These treatments can be recommended for the improvement of pea plants’ productivity under salt stress.   Key words: Ascorbic acid, 5-aminolevulinic acid, nano selenium, salt stress, mitosis, chromosomal aberrations, Pissum sativum L.