Effects of Salt Stress on Growth, Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Punica granatum

Based on the 6-month-old Punica granatum 'Taishanhong' seedlings and cuttings, the effects of different concentrations of NaCl on the accumulation of reactive oxygen in root and leaves, the degree of membrane peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activity were studied. The results showed that with the increase of salinity, the salt damage increased, the biomass per plant decreased, the O₂^•－ production rate and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) gradually increased; the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and the content of glutathione (GSH) and soluble proteins increased. Research shows that under salt stress, reactive oxygen in the root and leaves of P. granatum accumulated, and cell membrane lipid peroxidation intensified, growth inhibited. Antioxidant enzymes, GSH and soluble proteins can alleviate oxidation toxicity to a certain degree, and the salt tolerance of cuttings better than seedlings. The research on salt tolerance of P. granatum 'Taishanhong' was conducted to provide basis for selection and breeding in saline-alkali regions.