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RESEARCH PAPER
Role of L-phenylalanine in enhancing salt tolerance in carrot (Daucus carota L.) through morpho-physiological, antioxidant, and ionic modification
1
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, 38040, Faisalabad, Pakistan
2
College of Grassland and Pasture, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
3
Department of Biology, College of Science, King Khalid University, 61413 Abha, Saudi Arabia
4
Department of Botany, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
5
Department of Agri Biochemistry and Biotechnology CABB, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan
These authors had equal contribution to this work
Final revision date: 2026-01-04
Acceptance date: 2026-01-28
Publication date: 2026-04-13
Int. Agrophys. 2026, 40(3): 239-254
HIGHLIGHTS
- Salinity stress decreased the morpho-physiological attributes of carrot
- L-phenylalanine improved the activities of enzymatic antioxidants
- L--phenylalanine mitigated the adverse effect of salinity stress in carrot
KEYWORDS
carrot (Daucus carota L.)salinity stressL-phenylalanineantioxidant defensesecondary metabolitesosmolytes
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Salt stress is one of the major abiotic stresses that affects the growth and development of the carrot. To evaluate its function in carrot salt tolerance, a pot experiment was conducted with three salinity levels (0, 60, and 120 mM NaCl) and three L-phenylalanine concentrations (0, 100, and 200 ppm). Salt stress significantly reduced the shoot fresh weight by 28% and the root dry weight by 50%, respectively. Under salinity (120 mM), photosynthetic pigments such as total chlorophyll content decreased by 35% and carotenoids by 28%, while H2O2 and MDA increased by 35.5 and 27%. Additionally, Na⁺ accumulation increased and K⁺ and Ca²⁺ accumulation declined. The foliar application of L-phenylalanine (200 ppm) increased the shoot fresh weight by 38% and the root dry weight by 92%, total chlorophyll and carotenoids increased by 54 and 39%, respectively. Upon the foliar application of L-phenylalanine, SOD increased by 54%, CAT by 43%, and POD by 36% under salt stress. Non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as leaf ascorbic acid content increased by 32%, flavonoids by 39%, and anthocyanins by 50%. K⁺ and Ca²⁺ accumulation increased after the application of L-phenylalanine. Overall, L-phenylalanine improved morpho-physiological performance, suggesting its potential as a biostimulant for carrot production under saline conditions.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies at King Khalid University for funding this work through Large Research Project under grant number RGP2/351/46.
FUNDING
This work was funding by the Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies at King Khalid University through Large Research Project under grant number RGP2/351/46.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors do not declare any conflict of interest.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Authors’ Contributions. Conceptualization: Tahrim Ramzan, Methodology: Aleeha Fatima and Tahrim Ramzan, Software: Tahrim Ramzan and Arslan Haider, Formal analysis: Uthman Balgith Algopishi, Arslan Haider, Amara Shabeer and Fiza Masood, Investigation: Tahrim Ramzan, Arslan Haider and Muhammad Faisal Maqsood, Data curation: Aleeha Fatima, Tahrim Ramzan and Muhammad Faisal Maqsood, Writing-original draft preparation: Aleeha Fatima, Tahrim Ramzan and Uthman Balgith Algopishi, Writing-review and editing, Tahrim Ramzan, Arslan Haider and Uthman Balgith Algopishi. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
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