CHROMIUM TOXICITY IN HYBRID EUCALYPTUS (EUCALYPTUS UROPHYLLA S. T. BLAKE X GRANDIS W. HILL EX. MAIDEN) CUTTINGS

A greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate chromium (Cr) toxicity in urograndis (Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake x grandis W. Hill ex. Maiden). Chromium nitrate was amended to Clark's nutrient solution (0.00, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16, 0.32 and 0.64 mmol L^?1 Cr), which was used to breed one urograndis cutting per pot (four replications). Regression analysis revealed that Cr rates of 0.08 mmol L^?1 or higher significantly decreased (P < 0.01) dry matter yield of shoot and root. Chromium accumulation order in plant was: root > stem > leaves. Critical Cr toxicity level in leaves was 0.74 mg kg^?1. Uptake and translocation of nutrients were affected differently by Cr. Mostly have their uptake reduced due to root damage. Magnesium, iron and manganese translocation increases, supposedly to maintain normal photosynthetic activity. Wilting is the main visual symptom of Cr toxicity. Urograndis may be suitable for contaminated sites phytostabilization and receive industrial waste fertilization.     

Effects of Adding Nitrogen to Vermicompost on Tomato Seedlings Under Greenhouse Conditions

Vermicompost, a byproduct of earthworm digestion of organic solid waste is receiving attention as a peat substitute in the production of plug seedling media. We aimed to test the effects of adding nitrogen to vermicompost on the morphological development of tomato seedlings. Nursery experiments on tomato seedlings were carried out in the greenhouse. Urea at 0.00 kg/m³, 0.25 kg/m³, 0.50 kg/m³, and 1.00 kg/m³ was added to vermicompost and to the vermicompost-vermiculite (at a volume ratio of 4:1) mixture. Results showed that (1) Nitrogen application at different rates to the vermicompost significantly increased the strong seedling index (SSI) at the middle (T1) and late (T2) seedling growth stages. Besides, nitrogen application significantly increased concentrations of available nitrogen (available-N) at the beginning of seedling cultivation (T0) and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃^?-N) at T2 in vermicompost. (2) Adding nitrogen to vermicompost significantly increased the number of root tips at T1 and T2 and the root volume at T2. And it significantly decreased the electrical conductivity (EC), total N (TN), available N, ammonium N (NH₄⁺-N), and NO₃^?-N at T1 and T2. (3) Adding nitrogen to the vermicompost-vermiculite mixture significantly increased the root/shoot ratio, and SSI at T1 and T2. And it significantly increased the pH and reduced the EC at T1 and the available-N, NH₄⁺-N, and NO₃^?-N at T2. In short, adding nitrogen (0.5～1.0 kg/m³ urea) to vermicompost improved the shoot and root morphological development of tomato seedlings, as well as the biomass accumulation and allocation. Adding nitrogen to the vermicompost-vermiculite mixture further promoted the development of tomato seedlings.     

Stabilization of chromium(VI) by hydroxysulfate green rust in chromium(VI)-contaminated soils

Chromium (Cr)-contaminated soils pose a great environmental risk, with high solubility and persistent leaching of Cr(VI). In this study, hydroxysulfate green rust (GR_SO4), with the general formula Fe(II)₄Fe(III)₂(OH)₁₂SO₄·8H₂O, was evaluated for its efficiency in Cr(VI) stabilization via Cr(VI) reduction to Cr(III) in four representative Cr(VI)-spiked soils. The initial concentrations of phosphate buffer-extractable Cr(VI) (Cr(VI)_b) in soils 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 382.4, 575.9, 551.3, and 483.7 mg kg^-1, respectively. Reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by structural Fe(II) (Fe(II)_s) in GR_SO4 in all studied soils was fast, wherein the application of GR_SO4 markedly decreased the amount of Cr(VI)_b at the Cr(VI)_b/Fe(II)_s stoichiometric mole ratio of 0.33. The kinetics of Cr(VI) reduction by GR_SO4 could not be determined as this reaction coincided with the release of Cr(VI) from soil during the experiment. The concentration of Cr(VI)_b decreased, as the Cr(VI)_b/Fe(II)_s ratio decreased from 0.46 to 0.20, generally to below 10 mg kg^-1. Back-transformation of the generated Cr(III) was examined in the presence of manganese oxide birnessite at the birnessite/initial Cr(III) mole ratio of 4.5. The results of batch tests showed that only 5.2% of the initial Cr(III) was converted to Cr(VI) after two months, while under field capacity moisture conditions, less than 0.05% of the initial Cr(III) was oxidized to Cr(VI) after six months. The results illustrated that remediation of Cr(VI)-contaminated soils would be fast, successful, and irreversible with an appropriate quantity of fresh GR_SO4.     

Chrom und Quecksilber in einem seit 80 Jahren mit städtischem Abwasser berieselten Boden

Chromium and mercury in a soil after 80 years of treatment with urban sewage water . A soil (tab. 1) which is since 80 years under irrigation with sewage water contains 112 ppm Cr and 1.5 ppm Hg (Fig. 1). The sewage water presently contains 0.07 ppm chromium and 0.002 ppm mercury. In order to study the migration and leaching of chromium in the soil experiments were carried out with ⁵¹Cr as CrO₄^2- under aerobic and ⁵¹Cr als Cr³⁺ under anaerobic conditions in undisturbed soil columns. In all cases chromium was adsorbed in the layer 0–5 cm (Fig. 2 and 3). Similar experiments with ²⁰³Hg as HgCl₂ (Fig. 4) showed that mercury ist adsorbed near the surface. These experiments confirmed our results of ground water analyses, neither chromium nor mercury contaminated the ground water.     

A simple and inexpensive method for chromium speciation in soil extracts

Abstract

Chromium (Cr) appears in two stable forms in nature as Cr(III) and Cr(VI). Hexavalent chromium (CrO₄ ^2‐; Cr₂O₇ ^2‐) is very toxic and carcinogenic, while inorganic Cr(III), however, is essential for mammals. Only two methods, atomic absorption and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission (ICP) spectrometry, provide information on the total amount of Cr in a test solution. This is the reason that several efforts have been made with regard to Cr speciation. Either an acidic or a basic activated aluminum oxide and a reversed phase C‐18 column or an ion exchanger column are used for the separation of chromium(III) from chromium(VI) in FIA and HPLC analyses. In our experiments, acidic‐activated aluminum oxide was used for separation. This alumina was placed into a silicon tube and connected to an ICP spectrometer between the nebulizer and peristaltic pump. The average grain size of the alumina was large enough that the solution could be pumped through the micro column. Acidic‐activated aluminum oxide in the 2.0 to 8.0 pH range adsorbs the chromate anion but not the Cr(III) cation. During this stage, the Cr(III) content of a sample is measurable. The adsorbed chromate can be eluted with a strong acid. The height or area of the elution peak can be used for the calibration of Cr(VI). Detection limits of 4 μg/kg and 0.5 μg/kg were obtained for Cr(III) and Cr(VI), respectively. The effects of sulphate and phosphate anions on the surface of the alumina on chromate adsorption were also evaluated. This method was used for the measurement of Cr(VI) concentration by 0.01M CaCl₂ extraction of soil.     

万寿菊：铬植物修复的潜在价值

Environmental pollution with chromium(Cr) is harmful to humans, animals and plants, while in plants it causes diminished growth,anatomical alterations and death. In the present study, the potential value of marigold(Tagetes erecta) in the phytoremediation of Cr has been investigated. The randomized experimental design involved the exposure of plants to nutrient solutions containing 0.00,0.04, 0.08, 0.12, 0.16 or 0.24 mmol L~(-1)Cr(Ⅲ). Chromium toxicity was observed at Cr(Ⅲ) concentrations ≥ 0.12 mmol L~(-1) as demonstrated by diminished growth of the aerial parts and reduced density of the root system. Increasing Cr(Ⅲ) concentrations in the nutrient solution resulted in a higher bioaccumulation of total Cr in the tissues, although translocation from roots to aerial parts was not efficient(maximum value of 25% at 0.12 mmol L~(-1)Cr(Ⅲ)). The Cr bioaccumulation was up to 11-fold greater in roots than in the aerial parts. Tagetes erecta exhibited leaf plasticity when exposed to Cr, indicating the existence of a tolerance mechanism to Cr in this species. Chromium caused a reduction in xilem vases, resulting in a plastic effect in T. erecta leaves that increased the metal tolerance in culture solution. Tagetes spp. are potential Cr hyperaccumulators; at Cr(Ⅲ) concentrations up to 0.12 mmol L~(-1), the plants accumulated levels above that proposed for hyperaccumulators and still maintained a considerable growth and even flourished. However, this study was conducted in nutrient solution, and studies on species confirmation as Cr hyperaccumulator should be conducted in soils for further clarification.     

Comparative Effect of Nitrogen Forms on Nitrogen Uptake and Cotton Growth Under Salinity Stress

The effects of nitrogen (N) forms (ammonium- or nitrate-N) on plant growth under salinity stress [150 mmol sodium chloride (NaCl)] were studied in hydroponically cultured cotton. Net fluxes of sodium (Na⁺), ammonium (NH₄⁺), and nitrate (NO₃^?) were also determined using the Non-Invasive Micro-Test Technology. Plant growth was impaired under salinity stress, but nitrate-fed plants were less sensitive to salinity than ammonium-fed plants due mainly to superior root growth by the nitrate-fed plants. The root length, root surface area, root volume, and root viability of seedlings treated with NO₃-N were greater than those treated with NH₄-N with or without salinity stress. Under salinity stress, the Na⁺ content of seedlings treated with NO₃-N was lower than that in seedlings treated with NH₄-N owing to higher root Na⁺ efflux. A lower net NO₃^? efflux was observed in roots of nitrate-fed plants relative to the net NH₄⁺ efflux from roots of ammonium-fed plants. This resulted in much more nitrogen accumulation in different tissues, especially in leaves, thereby enhancing photosynthesis in nitrate-fed plants under salinity stress. Nitrate-N is superior to ammonium-N based on nitrogen uptake and cotton growth under salinity stress.     

pH-Änderungen in der Rhizosphäre von Mais- und Erdnußwurzeln

pH changes in the rhizosphere of peanut and maize roots pH changes in soil near growing peanuts and maize seedlings were measured using antimony microelectrodes. The roots of each plant actively altered pH, both at the root tip and root hair zone (maize) and immediately behind the root elongation zone (peanut). Along the root elongation zone and at distances greater than 10-15 cm from the root tip, pH moved towards the value in the soil outside of the rhizosphere. Peanut seedlings grown in unfertilized and NO₃-fertilized soil (initial pH 5.5) lowered soil pH by 1.5 and by 0.7 units, respectively; whereas maize seedlings caused pH increases of 1.0 and 1.5 units, respectively. In NH₄-fertilized soil, both seedlings caused soil pH to fall by 2-3 units. In an acid soil, pH changes occurred at distances of up to approximately 2.5 mm from root surfaces.     

不同供磷状况下CO2浓度升高对番茄根系生长及养分吸收的影响

采用培养试验研究了磷缺乏与正常供磷条件下,CO₂浓度由350μL/L升高至800μL/L苗期番茄的生物量、根系特征和不同器官N、P、K养分含量的变化。结果表明,无论缺磷与否,CO₂浓度升高均能显著增加番茄地上部及根系的干物质积累量,提高根冠比。在磷缺乏条件下,CO₂浓度升高对番茄根系生长的促进主要表现为增加根系的体积和表面积;而在磷正常供应条件下主要表现为同时增加根体积和分根数,有利于形成强壮的根系。在两种供磷水平下,CO₂浓度升高对番茄各器官的N、P、K含量产生不同的稀释效应,但N、P、K总积累量却随CO₂浓度升高而显著增加;而且CO₂浓度与供P水平对番茄植株的N、P、K积累量具有极显著的正交互效应。     

EFFECTS OF NITRATE AND AMMONIUM ON WATER RELATIONS OF TREMBLING ASPEN SEEDLINGS IN SOLUTION CULTURE

We examined the effects of high concentrations (4, 8, or 16 mM) of nitrate (NO₃) and ammonium (NH₄) on water relations and growth of trembling aspen seedlings in solution culture. In contrast to 16 mM ammonium, after four weeks of treatments, the 16 mM nitrate treatment resulted in the highest growth rates, root hydraulic conductivity and aquaporin-mediated root water flux. At lower (4 and 8 mM) ammonium concentrations, seedling growth and water relations were comparable to equivalent nitrate concentrations. When after the four weeks of treatments, ammonium concentrations were reduced by 50% (to 2, 4 and 8 mM) for additional 4 weeks, slight increases in seedling growth and water relations as well as decreases in mortality were observed indicating that aspen seedlings were capable of recovery from higher ammonium concentrations. The results indicate that aspen seedlings are tolerant of high nitrate concentrations, but intolerant of high ammonium concentrations. The study also suggested that ammonium was not toxic to aspen seedlings at moderate concentrations and that the seedlings were capable of assimilating and utilizing both ammonium and nitrate as a nitrogen source.     

EFFECTS OF CALCIUM ON LIGNIFICATION RELATED PARAMETERS IN SODIUM CHLORIDE-STRESSED SOYBEAN ROOTS

The effects of exogenous calcium (Ca²⁺) on root growth and lignification-related parameters – phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and peroxidases (POD) activities, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and lignin contents – in roots of NaCl-stressed soybean seedlings were analyzed. Three-day-old seedlings were cultivated in half-strength Hoagland's solution (pH 6.0) with or without 5 mM calcium nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂] and 50 to 200 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) in a growth chamber (25°C, 12/12 h light/dark photoperiod, irradiance of 280 μmol m^?2 s^?1) for 24 h. In general, results showed that the absence of Ca²⁺ reduced root growth and increased lignification of soybean seedlings grown in NaCl-free nutrient solution. NaCl reduced the root growth and all lignification-related parameters. Root growth, PAL and POD activities and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) contents were more affected after NaCl treatments without Ca²⁺ in the nutrient solution. At 5 mM, Ca²⁺ did not alleviate the deleterious effects of NaCl on lignification-related parameters.     

The solubility and plant uptake of chromium from heated soils

Abstract

The effects of heating on the solubility and plant uptake of Cr from three soils variously influenced by ultramafic parent materials were evaluated. Chromium extracted by 2 M HNO₃ and by M KCl increased with degree of serpentine influence and with temperature of ignition in air. In contrast, solubility of the element was only slightly influenced by ignition in a N₂ atmosphere. Heating enhanced the solubility of soil Cr by at least two oxidative reactions: (1) the destruction of a relatively heat‐stable, probably organic, complex with the release of Cr(III), and (2) the oxidation of free Cr(III) to Cr(VI).

Corn (Zea mays L.) grew poorly in the ignited soils, but normally in ignited and leached soils. Growth depression from ignition was related to shoot Cr levels (r² = 0.494) and is attributed to the readily absorbed and translocated chromate formed at elevated temperatures. Under more usual soil conditions, as in the untreated and ignited then leached soils, the less readily soluble forms of the element are the principal contributors to available Cr.     

Fertilizer location modifies root zone salinity,root morphology,and water‐stress resistance of tree seedlings according to the watering regime in a dryland reforestation

There is a direct relationship between soil nutrient concentration in localized zones and root proliferation and elongation under well‐watered conditions. However, in field studies under semiarid conditions this relationship can change due to higher salt accumulation and soil dryness that affect root growth, water stress resistance, and seedling survival. We assessed the effect of different locations of fertilizer placement in the soil profile and water availability on root zone salinity, root development and ecophysiological responses of Quillaja saponaria Mol. after outplanting. A single dose (6 g L^?1) of controlled‐release nitrogen fertilizer (CRF_N) was placed at 0 cm (top layer), 15 cm (middle layer), or 30 cm (bottom layer) depth in the containers in a greenhouse, in addition to an unfertilized treatment (control). After 6 months, seedlings were transplanted to the field and subjected to weekly watering regimes (2 L plant^?1 and unwatered). Morphological and ecophysiological parameters were periodically measured on seedlings, as well as soil electrical conductivity (EC). After 1 year, the shoot : root ratio of unwatered seedlings decreased as a function of CRF_N placement depth, which was attributed to lower shoot growth and not to greater root growth. The root morphology of the bottom layer treatment was negatively affected by high EC in unwatered seedlings. Greater total root length and root volume of the middle layer treatment was found only when well‐watered; however, this did not contribute to improve physiological responses against water stress. The lowest EC and the highest photochemical efficiency, net photosynthesis, and stomatal conductance were shown by unfertilized seedlings, independent of water availability. Our findings suggest that varying depth of CRF_N placement does not contribute significantly to improve root growth under water restriction. Water supplements, independently of the CRF_N location in the substrate, contribute to decrease root zone salinity, and consequently, improve root volume growth.     

不同烤烟品种幼苗形态结构及光合参数对 干旱胁迫响应机制的差异

为了比较不同烤烟品种的苗期耐旱性差异,选用河南烟区主栽烤烟品种‘豫烟6号’、‘豫烟10号’、‘豫烟12号’和‘中烟100’为供试材料,利用浓度为15%的聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟中度干旱环境,研究不同烤烟品种幼苗生物量、根系形态、叶片气孔特征、叶绿体超微结构和光合参数等指标对干旱胁迫响应机制的差异。结果表明:(1)干旱刺激了幼苗根系生长,抑制了地上种幼苗根冠比均显著提高;‘豫烟6号’和‘豫烟12号’幼苗根系生物量、总根长、根系表面积和根系体积均显著增加,但根系平均直径与对照无显著性差异;而‘豫烟10号’和‘中烟100’根系形态指标增加幅度较小,仅有‘豫烟10号’根系表面积显著增加,而根系平均直径均显著下降。(2)干旱引起‘中烟100’叶片气孔总面积比对照显著增加,‘豫烟12号’仅有气孔长度比其对照增加显著。(3)干旱处理后,‘豫烟6号’和‘豫烟12号’叶绿体整体结构变化不大,而‘豫烟10号’和‘中烟100’中叶肉细胞叶绿体被膜分解,与细胞壁分离;其中‘中烟100’叶绿体平均长度、长宽比和面积均显著降低。(4)与对照相比,干旱组叶片光合作用被抑制,其中‘豫烟10号’和‘中烟100’叶片净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)和气孔导度(Gs)均显著下降,而胞间CO2浓度(Ci)显著上升,说明干旱胁迫下烤烟光合速率下降是非气孔因素所致。(5)干旱胁迫后‘豫烟6号’和‘豫烟12号’叶片叶绿素总量显著增加,而‘豫烟10号’和‘中烟100’却呈下降趋势。结果表明,‘豫烟6号’和‘豫烟12号’是耐旱型品种,而‘豫烟10号’和‘中烟100’抗旱性较差,抗旱能力排序为‘豫烟6号’‘豫烟12号’‘豫烟10号’‘中烟100’。     

Effects of Landfill Gas on Growth and Nitrogen Fixation of Two Leguminous Trees (Acacia Confusa,Leucaena Leucocephala)

A study was made on the effects of landfill gas on ARA (acetylene reducing activity) of nodules of two woody legumes (Acacia confusa and Leucaena leucocephala) widespread on landfill sites in Hong Kong. The effects of the three main components of landfill gas, O₂, CO₂ and CH4, were first measured separately over a 1-hr period. Maximum ARA was found at 20% O₂ (close to atmospheric partial pressure) and ARA decreased as the O₂ decreased in the range of 16–1%. Acacia confusa nodular ARA was significantly inhibited at 30–50% CO₂, but not Leucaena leucocephala nodular ARA. CH₄ had no significant effect on ARA of either species. As the landfill gas concentrations in the landfill topsoil were mostly > 10% O₂ and < 10% CO₂, root nodules should fix N₂ effectively over these ranges of gases. A four-week test was conducted to assess the long-term influence of landfill gas on seedlings of the two legumes. Landfill gas and elevated CO₂ both suppressed their growth and their nodular ARA. Even under the influence of the gases, however, seedlings with nodules formed a higher biomass than seedlings lacking nodules. The growth of the two legumes under actual landfill conditions was investigated by transplanting non-inoculated and pre-inoculated seedlings to two landfill sites in Hong Kong: Junk Bay and Shuen Wan Landfill. After six months, most of the non-inoculated seedlings became infected: Acacia confusa 63 and 70%, Leucaena leucocephala 17 and 89%, respectively, at the test sites. The results indicate that there were free rhizobia at these landfill sites to infect the legumes and they had formed effective nodules to fix N₂ under landfill conditions.     

K-priming positively modulates growth and nutrient status of salt-stressed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seedlings

Being macronutrient, K⁺ is involved in a number of metabolic processes including stimulation of over 60 enzymes. The present study was conducted to investigate whether K-priming could alleviate the effects of salinity on the growth and nutrient status of cotton seedlings. The seeds of two cotton cultivars, namely FH-113 and FH-87, were primed with solutions of three potassium sources (KNO₃, K₂SO₄ and K₂HPO₄) using three concentrations (0%, 1.25% and 1.5%) of each potassium source. After 1 week of germination, the seedlings were subjected to salinity (0 and 200 mM NaCl) stress. The results showed that salinity significantly affected growth and nutrients status of cotton seedlings. The K-priming alleviated the stress condition and significantly improved dry matter as well as nutrient uptake in cotton seedlings. Of the priming treatments pre-sowing treatment with KNO₃ (1.5%) was most effective in increasing shoot and root lengths and biomass of cotton seedlings. The seedlings raised from seed treated with KNO₃ (1.5%) showed varied accumulation of cations (Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) and faced less oxidative stress irrespective of cotton cultivars under salt stress. The results suggested that pre-sowing seed treatment with KNO₃ (1.5%) might be recommended for synchronized germination and sustainable production of cotton crop under saline environments.     

EFFECT OF PREVIOUS NITROGEN STARVATION ON NO3 − AND NH4 + UPTAKE AND ASSIMILATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENDOGENOUS SOLUBLE CARBOHYDRATE UTILIZATION IN MOROCCAN WHEAT SEEDLINGS

Uptake of the two forms of nitrogen NO₃ ^? and NH₄ ⁺ and nitrate reduction have been studied in two varieties of Moroccan wheat seedlings, cvs. Sais and Jouda, cultivated under controlled conditions in a hydroponic medium. The available form of nitrogen in the medium had a direct effect on the rate of nitrogen absorption. A brief nitrogen starvation increased the root length and stimulated accumulation of soluble carbohydrates, especially in the root tissues. A resupply of nitrogen stimulated ammonium and nitrate uptake and assimilation with higher mobilization of the soluble carbohydrates previously accumulated in root seedlings. It is suggested that root nitrogen and carbohydrate status might both regulate nitrate uptake and reduction in Moroccan wheat seedlings.

The seedlings raised with the nitrate supply accumulated nitrate in the vacuole as an osmoticum. Shoots are the preferential site for such accumulation. The accumulation of mineral nitrogen was absent in the seedlings cultivated with ammonium supply but was compensated by accumulation of soluble organic nitrogen.     

不同NaCl浓度微咸水灌溉对棉花幼苗生理特性的影响

为找出棉花苗期微咸水灌溉的适宜浓度,明确滨海盐土区微咸水在棉花苗期代替淡水灌溉的可行性。本研究在盆栽试验条件下,研究了浇灌不同NaCl浓度的微咸水对棉花幼苗生理特性的影响。结果表明:与CK相比,NaCl浓度为4 g/L的微咸水处理显著降低了棉籽发芽率,达26.09%,而NaCl浓度为2~3 g/L的微咸水处理与对照无显著差异。与CK相比,NaCl浓度为4 g/L的微咸水处理显著降低了棉花幼苗的鲜重、株高、根长和干重,降低幅度分别为34.08%、27.27%、38.26%和35.29%;显著降低了棉花幼苗叶绿素含量,提高了抗氧化酶活性、可溶性蛋白含量和游离脯氨酸含量;增加了棉花幼苗超氧阴离子的产生速率、H_2O_2含量及丙二醛积累量。NaCl浓度为3 g/L的微咸水处理对棉花幼苗的部分生长和生理指标也具有显著的抑制作用。NaCl浓度为2 g/L的微咸水处理对棉花幼苗的生长没有显著的抑制作用,可以在黄河三角洲地区棉花幼苗期代替淡水灌溉。     

Chloride and carbonate salinity tolerance in Mimusops zeyheri seedlings during summer and winter shoot flushes

Shoot flushes alternate with root flushes and the evergreen red milkwood (Mimusops zeyheri Sond.) fruit tree has winter (May–July) and summer (October-December) shoot flushes in southern hemisphere. Fruit of this plant contain high vitamin C and the tree is being researched and bred for arid inland southern Africa regions. Climate change predictions suggested that by 2030 the regions would experience high temperatures (>45°C), recurrent floods and repeated droughts, which are associated with increased salinity challenges. The objective of this study was to determine the degree of salt tolerance in M. zeyheri seedlings to chloride and carbonate salinity during summer and winter shoot flushes under microplot conditions. Treatments, comprising untreated control, NaCl, KCl, CaCl₂ and Na₂CO₃ each at 1.0 molar (M) solutions, were applied weekly for eight weeks. During both seasons, CaCl₂ and Na₂CO₃ salinity had significant effects on soil pH and EC. During summer, salt types increased (106%–253%) dry shoot mass and reduced (53%–79%) root/shoot ratio. During winter, Na₂CO₃ salinity increased (114%) dry shoot mass, but the effects were not different to those induced by NaCl and CaCl₂ salinity. All other plant growth variables were not affected by salt type. Salt type had significant effects on assimilation of selected nutrient elements in leaf tissues of M. zeyheri seedlings during winter. Sodium chloride did not have significant effects on nutrient elements, whereas KCl, CaCl₂ and Na₂CO₃ significantly affected selected macronutrient elements and Zn. In conclusion, effects of chloride and carbonate salinity on M. zeyheri seedlings were both season- and salt type-specific, with seedlings displaying some degree of salt tolerance to chloride and carbonate salinity.