ABSTRACT
Salt stress is a physiological condition characterized by increased concentrations of soluble salts inside the cells leading to an imbalance in the cell steady state. Salt stress induces ion toxicity due to increased levels of ions like sodium, chloride and sulfate. Ion toxicity and the hyperosmolar interior are the two important factors affecting the plants reared on soils with high salt concentrations. Adaptation to soil salinity is definitely one of the most complicated biological phenomena carried out by plants in order to maintain a steady state inside the cells. Ionic stress is predominant among the various abiotic stresses which act as limiting factors for plant growth and survival. Reactive oxygen species or free radicals like superoxides, hydroxyl ions, hydrogen peroxides and methylglyoxal are generated due to the degeneration of cell membranes as a result of any external stress stimuli, leading to the inhibition of plant growth and development.
