Amelioration of Mn toxicity by Brassinosteroids in Brassica juncea L.

The effects of 28-homobrassinolide (28-homoBL) on protein content and antioxidative enzyme activities in 7-days old Brassica juncea L. seedlings were studied. The seeds pre-treated with different concentrations of 28-homoBL were germinated in Petriplates supplied with various concentrations of heavy metal (Mn). The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase and glutathione reductase of 7-days old seedlings were analysed. It was observed that 28-homoBL reduced the toxicity of heavy metal on seedling growth by influencing the protein content and antioxidative enzyme activities. Pre-treatment of 28-homoBL was found to be significantly effective in increasing the activities of all antioxidative enzymes.

Keywords: 28-homobrassinolide, antioxidative enzymes, heavy metal stress, manganese, Indian mustard, Mn toxicity, Brassica juncea L, environmental pollution, protein content, seedlings, seedling growth