Effect of ion-exchange sorbents and fly ash on increasing the tolerance of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) under salt stress

Abstract

The sorbents’ ability to bind other substances has become one of the reasons for their active use for filtration and purification of industrial liquids. In this paper, using a model system of barley, the protective effect of sorbents for removing excess toxic salts from the medium was studied. Under saline conditions in the presence of sorbents, plants of Hordeum vulgare L. showed normal growth and development, as well as moderate activity of aldehydeoxidase, catalase and superoxidismutase. It was assumed that ion-exchange sorbents block the flow of Na + into the cell by absorbing the ions of toxic salts from the medium with the release of an equivalent number of plant-safe ions. This mechanism causes the absence of a hypersensitive response in experimental samples and weak development of oxidative stress. Fly ash was used as ameliorant in saline conditions. Emerged barley samples also showed minimal inhibition in the accumulation of dry mass. It was found that fly ash can act as a promising ameliorant that improves the biological and chemical state of the degraded soils.