Effect of the Mutagenic Agents and NaCl on the Activity of Antioxidant Enzymes in Two Genotypes of Iraqi Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rasha K. Mohammed

Abstract: This study was carried out to determine the effects of NaCl levels and the mutagenic agents, the chemical mutagen ethyl methyl sulphonate (EMS) at 0.5 % and the physical mutagen UV-B irradiation for 40 min time exposure on the activity of antioxidant enzymes in two Iraqi rice genotypes Amber 33 (A33) and Amber Baghdad (AB). Different levels of NaCl were (0.00, 50, 100, 150, 180 or 200) mM. NaCl caused increase in antioxidant enzymes (POX, CAT, and APX) activity. Exposure to both mutagens increased the activity of these enzymes significantly compared with non-treated.

Keywords: Rice, EMS, UV-B, NaCl