As an antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol (α-Toc) protects plants from salinity-induced oxidative bursts. This study was conducted twice to determine the effect of α-Toc as a foliar spray (at 0 (no spray), 100, 200, and 300 mg L-1) to improve the yield and biochemical constituents of fresh green capsules of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) under salt stress (0 and 100 mM). Salt stress significantly reduced K+ and Ca2+ ion concentration and yield, whereas it increased H2O2, malondialdehyde (MDA), Na+, glycine betaine (GB), total free proline, total phenolics, and the activities of catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), and protease in both okra varieties (Noori and Sabzpari). Foliar application of α-Toc significantly improved the yield in tested okra varieties by increasing the activity of antioxidants (CAT, GPX, SOD, and ascorbic acid), accumulation of GB, and total free proline in fruit tissues under saline and non-saline conditions. Moreover, α-Toc application as a foliar spray alleviated the adverse effects of salt stress by reducing Na+ concentration, MDA, and H2O2 levels and improving the uptake of K+ and Ca2+. Among the tested okra varieties, Noori performed better than Sabzpari across all physio-biochemical attributes. Of all the foliar-applied α-Toc levels, 200 mg L-1 and 300 mg L-1 were more effective in the amelioration of salinity-induced adverse effects in okra. Thus, we concluded that higher levels of α-Toc (200 mg L-1 and 300 mg L-1) combat salinity stress more effectively by boosting the antioxidant potential of okra plants.
Keywords: alpha-tocopherol; antioxidants; foliar spray; okra varieties; salinity.