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International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Science Research 2026, Vol 10(1) 1-22

Species-dependent Salinity Tolerance in Brassicaceae Microgreens: Growth, Ion Homeostasis, Photosynthetic Performance, and Phenolic–flavonoid Antioxidant Responses

Çağlar Kaya
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Article Type
Research article
Publication Date
October 24, 2026
Pages
1-22
DOI
10.29329/ijiasr.2026.1442.3

Abstract

Salinity is a major constraint on plant growth, although moderate salinity may enhance antioxidant-related metabolites in microgreens. This study evaluated species-specific physiological and biochemical responses of four Brassicaceae microgreens, radish (Raphanus sativus L.), broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), red cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. rubra), and rocket (Eruca sativa Mill.), exposed to 0, 50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl. Increasing salinity progressively inhibited growth, with the greatest reductions at 150 mM NaCl. Shoot length decreased by 35.6% in radish and 35.9% in broccoli, while stronger reductions occurred in red cabbage and rocket, reaching 43.3% and 43.8%, respectively. Salinity also disrupted ion homeostasis by increasing Na⁺ accumulation and the Na⁺/K⁺ ratio, particularly in rocket, where this ratio reached 1.33 at 150 mM NaCl. Severe salinity reduced total chlorophyll and Fv/Fm, indicating impaired photosynthetic performance. Despite this decline, radish and broccoli maintained higher pigment content and PSII efficiency. Moderate salinity, especially 100 mM NaCl, stimulated antioxidant-related metabolism, with radish showing the highest phenolic content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity. These findings suggest that moderate salinity may improve functional biochemical quality, whereas severe salinity limits growth.

Keywords: Microgreens Brassicaceae Ion Homeostasis Chlorophyll Fluorescence Phenolic Compounds Flavonoids Antioxidant Activity Salinity Tolerance
Cite this article
Kaya, Ç. (2026). Species-dependent Salinity Tolerance in <em>Brassicaceae</em> Microgreens: Growth, Ion Homeostasis, Photosynthetic Performance, and Phenolic–flavonoid Antioxidant Responses. International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Science Research, 10(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.29329/ijiasr.2026.1442.3

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