Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF THE ADAPTATION OF CASUARINA EQUISETIFOLIA TO HEAT STRESS USING BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS

Malika Rached-Kanouni1, Zahia Kadi, Hichem Khammar, Rima Bouzobra, Fadhila Belghit and Labed Ababsa

Abstract

The objective of our study is to analyze the effects of heat stress (high temperatures) on Casuarina equisetifolia seedlings. In our experiment, variations in protein content, peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) activities are monitored on the leaves. Heat stress is carried out at temperatures of 36 °C, 38 °C, 40 °C, 42 °C and 44 °C for a period of 3 hours with the aim of estimating the degree of adaptation of seedlings by biochemical markers. The results obtained indicate that protein accumulation is obtained at 44 °C. Catalase and peroxidase activities are significant at 38 °C and 42 °C respectively.