# Ascophyllum nodosum SWE enhances root anatomy, but not POD activity in both a salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive soybean ( Glycine max) variety exposed to salt stress

## TL;DR

This study shows that seaweed extract improves root structure in soybean plants under salt stress, but does not boost a key antioxidant enzyme.

## Contribution

The novel finding is that Ascophyllum nodosum SWE improves root anatomy in salt-stressed soybean varieties without affecting POD activity.

## Key findings

- SWE slightly improved root anatomy in salt-stressed soybean varieties.
- SWE did not enhance peroxidase (POD) activity in either soybean variety.
- Further research is needed on other antioxidant enzymes like SOD, CAT, and APX.

## Abstract

There is growing evidence that seaweed extracts (SWE) may be a solution for mitigating the negative effects of salt stress on crop yield and quality, as they introduce bioactive ingredients able to regulate the expression of growth-inducing and stress-responsive genes. We demonstrate that SWE slightly ameliorated the negative physical growth effects of salt stress, especially in the root anatomy of the salt-sensitive (Clark) variety. The SWE did not stimulate or enhance peroxidase (POD) activity in either the salt-sensitive (Clark) or salt-tolerant variety (Manokin). However, a complete assessment of other antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, APX) involved in the ROS detoxification process is further required.