LAUSR

Priming with antioxidants like α-tocopherol is a pragmatic method to alleviate salinity effects. In this study, seeds of two okra varieties (Noori and Sabzpari) were primed for 16 h before sowing with α-tocopherol levels [0 (distilled water), 100, 200 and 300 mg L-1] and salinity levels (0 and 100 mMNaCl) were maintained after sowing the seeds in plastic pots. Salt stress reduced the fresh biomass and yield while, increased the antioxidants activities(CAT, GPX, SOD and protease) total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, MDA, H2O2, total soluble proteins, glycinebetaine and free proline contents of tested okra varieties. Whereas non-significant effect of salinity was recorded for non-reducing sugars, ascorbic acid, total phenolics and activity of POD in tested okra varieties. Alpha tocopherol seed priming proved effective in improving root and shoot fresh biomass, yield, sugars, total soluble proteins, glycinebetaine content and activities/concentration of antioxidants (ascorbic acid, total phenolics, GPX, SOD and protease) in both tested varieties under saline regime. Though, no significant alteration was observed on the concentration of MDA, H2O2 and free proline content due to alpha tocopherol seed priming treatment. Among all α-tocopherol levels used inclusively 200 and 300 mg L-1 were more active. In addition, variety Noori performed better than Sabzpari in all