Sustainable Development Goals at Baku State University.

Research on the effects of salinity stress on plants is being conducted at BSU’s Faculty of Biology

An academic seminar was held at the Faculty of Biology of Baku State University (BSU) with the aim of presenting key priorities of modern biological science to a wider audience, strengthening the academic environment, and informing young researchers about current research topics.

At the seminar, Böyükxanım Jafarzade, a doctoral student of the Department of Botany and Plant Physiology and a researcher at the Biomengineering Research Laboratory, delivered a presentation titled “Study of the antioxidant defense system in plants with different levels of salt tolerance.”

The presentation provided a comprehensive analysis of the effects of salinity stress on the physiological and biochemical processes of plants. Experimental results from barley, wheat, and bean plants grown under saline conditions were presented, including germination rates, morphological parameters such as root and stem length, biomass, as well as physiological and biochemical characteristics.

Detailed information was shared on water balance in plants, relative water content, the state of photosynthetic pigments, activity of antioxidant enzymes, and changes in non-enzymatic components. It was noted that increasing salinity stress leads to osmotic imbalance, enhanced ion toxicity, and elevated oxidative stress, resulting in reduced plant growth, development, and productivity.

The seminar also included a comparative analysis of plant species based on salt tolerance levels. It was emphasized that plants with higher tolerance exhibit a more active antioxidant defense system, which plays a key role in reducing the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species. In this regard, studying antioxidant defense mechanisms was highlighted as an important scientific direction for assessing plants’ adaptive potential to stress factors.

The practical significance of the research was also underlined. It was noted that the findings provide an important scientific basis for the selection of crops suitable for saline soil conditions, identification of stress-resistant varieties, preservation of productivity, and development of effective agronomic practices. These studies contribute to the efficient use of soil resources, strengthening food security, and forming a sustainable agricultural model.

The seminar concluded with discussions and a Q&A session.

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