Physio-biochemical and histological studies unveil ascorbic acid-induced protection in mungbean under salt stress

Abstract Salinity stress poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity, particularly in regions with limited freshwater resources. Seed priming with ascorbic acid has emerged as a promising technique to enhance salinity tolerance in various crops. This study investigates the efficacy of ascorbic acid seed priming in mitigating salinity stress in mungbean. Seeds were primed with different concentrations of ascorbic acid and exposed to saline conditions during germination and early growth stages. Parameters such as germination percentage, seedling growth, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant enzyme activity were assessed to evaluate the impact of ascorbic acid priming on salinity tolerance. Results demonstrated that ascorbic acid priming significantly improved germination percentage, seedling growth, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant enzyme activity under saline conditions compared to non-primed seeds. The effectiveness of ascorbic acid priming showed concentration-dependent effects, with higher concentrations providing greater mitigation of salinity stress. Pearson correlation analysis revealed associations among various traits, offering insights into their interdependencies, which warrant further validation and mechanistic understanding. Traits showing positive loading in the first two principal components were identified as pivotal for screening and future research purposes. These findings underscore the potential of seed priming with ascorbic acid as a sustainable strategy to enhance salinity tolerance in mungbean and other crops. This approach contributes towards food security and promoting agricultural sustainability in saline-affected regions. Graphical Abstract