Effects of ammonium salts on oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

Abstract

Oleaster (Russian olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia) trees are highly tolerant against a variety of abiotic stresses (water, temperature, salt, and other chemicals). Therefore, they can be used for rehabilitation of contaminated and/or low quality soils (brownfields, dump sites, wastelands, etc.). In order to study responses of oleaster to environmental stress in vivo and in vitro, we successfully sterilized and initiated its callus cultures, regenerated shoots and roots and finally whole plants from the callus. Application of ammonium (in the form of sulfate salt) to the regenerated plantlets at concentrations higher than 10 mg L^-1 inhibited root growth, reduced the leaf chlorophyll content and the activity of the enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase. At the same time, it induced activities of the stress marker enzyme glutathione S-transferase in the root and shoot tissues of the plant.