Effects of NaCl and silicon on ion distribution in the roots,shoots and leaves of two alfalfa cultivars with different salt tolerance

Abstract

The effects of exogenous NaCl and silicon on ion distribution were investigated in two alfalfa (Medicago sativa. L.) cultivars: the high salt tolerant Zhongmu No. 1 and the low salt tolerant Defor. The cultivars were grown in a hydroponic system with a control (that had neither NaCl nor Si added), a Si treatment (1 mmol L^?1 Si), a NaCl treatment (120 mmol L^?1 NaCl), and a Si and NaCl treatment (120 mmol L^?1 NaCl + 1 mmol L^?1 Si). After 15 days of the NaCl and Si treatments, four plants of the cultivars were removed and divided into root, shoot and leaf parts for Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ content measurements. Compared with the NaCl treatment, the added Si significantly decreased Na⁺ content in the roots, but notably increased K⁺ contents in the shoots and leaves of the high salt tolerant Zhongmu No.1 cultivar. Applying Si to both cultivars under NaCl stress did not significantly affect the Fe³⁺, Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ contents in the roots, shoots and leaves of Defor and the roots and shoots of Zhongmu No.1, but increased the Ca²⁺ content in the roots of Zhongmu No.1 and the Mn²⁺ contents in the shoots and leaves of both cultivars, while it decreased the Ca²⁺ and Cu²⁺ contents of the shoots and leaves of both cultivars under salt stress. Salt stress decreased the K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cu²⁺ contents in plants, but significantly increased Zn²⁺ content in the roots, shoots and leaves and Mn²⁺ content in the shoots of both cultivars when Si was not applied. Thus, salt affects not only the macronutrient distribution but also the micronutrient distribution in alfalfa plants, while silicon could alter the distributions of Na⁺ and some trophic ions in the roots, shoots and leaves of plants to improve the salt tolerance.     

Effect of Exogenous Silicon on Ion Distribution of Tomato Plants Under Salt Stress

Seedlings of two tomato cultivars were exposed to 0, 50, or 100 mM sodium chlroide (NaCl) stress with or without silicon (Si) for 10 days, and leaf electrolyte leakage, root activity, plant growth, and ion sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺) contents were determined. No significant differences were observed in total biomass and the root/crown ratio of salt-stressed plants treated with exogenous Si, but leaf electrolyte leakage of both cultivars treated with 50 mM NaCl and Si was lower than that in the same salt treatment without Si. Root activities of both cultivars were significantly affected by treatment with NaCl and exogenous Si. Application of Si induced a significant decrease in Na⁺ content and increases in K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ contents in leaves of plants treated with 50 mM NaCl, and consequently the K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca²⁺/Na⁺ ratios increased by at least two times. The effects of Si on the ion contents of the roots were not notable.     

Growth,Root Characteristics,and Leaf Nutrients Accumulation of Four Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Cultivars Differing in Their Broomrape Tolerance and the Soil Properties in Relation to Salinity

The effects of salinity on four faba bean (Vicia faba L) cultivars [Giza 429, Giza 843, Misr 1 (Orobanche-tolerant), and Giza 3 (Orobanche-susceptible)] and soil properties were investigated in a pot experiment with addition of 0, 50, and 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) for 9 weeks. Salinity significantly decreased calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), potassium (K⁺), bicarbonate (HCO₃ ^?), and sulfate (SO₄ ^2?) while significantly increasing sodium (Na⁺), chloride (Cl^?), pH, and electrical conductivity (EC; dS m^?1). Root length density (cm cm^?3), root mass density (mg cm^?3), total dry weight, and salt-tolerance indexes were significantly reduced as a result of application of salinity. The results presented support evidence on the positive relationship between Orobance tolerance and salt tolerance in the three cultivars (Giza 429, Giza 843, and Misr 1). This adaptation was mainly due to a high degree of accumulation of inorganic nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ and lesser quantities of Na⁺ and Cl^?, as well as greater K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca²⁺/Na⁺ ratios.     

盐胁迫下柚实生苗生长、矿质营养及离子吸收特性研究

以坪山柚为材料,对盐胁迫下实生苗生长、矿质营养及离子吸收特性进行了研究。结果表明,沙培30d,80～200mmol/L盐胁迫,随盐浓度提高,坪山柚实生苗株高、叶面积、地上部干重和根部干重明显降低。溶液培养8d,坪山柚实生苗地上部及根Na+、Cl-含量随盐浓度的增加而增加,根及地上部K+、Ca2+、Mg2+以及P和Mn含量下降,Fe、Zn、Cu含量的变化因器官而异。其中,地上部Fe含量对盐胁迫敏感,可作为柚耐盐性鉴定指标。40mmol/L盐胁迫,坪山柚地上部K+/Na+、Ca2+/Na+、Mg2+/Na+值均显著下降,且Mg2+/Na+值+/Na+值>1;浓度≥160mmol/L盐胁迫,K+/Na+值+吸收、运转效率比Cl-高。     

不同基因型小麦对NaCl胁迫的反应

在液培条件下研究了NaCl胁迫对小麦生长及体内矿质营养含量的影响。结果表明 ,与对照相比 ,NaCl胁迫明显降低了小麦地上部、地下部的干、鲜重以及降低根中钾和镁含量 ,而茎叶中钾和镁含量仅在 200mmol/LNaCl处理时降低 ;提高了茎叶和根中钠含量和根中钙含量 ,茎叶钙含量在 50mmol/L时降低、200mmol/L时上升。植株茎叶钠含量与生物量高度负相关。4个品种抗盐性大小的顺序是 :J9428LK7LK6J411。     

Water-soluble cations in shoot dry weight of common bean and balance of ions in the soil in response to the magnesium application

The increased magnesium (Mg) concentration in vegetables may be reduced due to inter-ionic inhibition caused by the concentration of other water-soluble cations that are mainly associated to low molecular weight organic anions. However, it is not known whether the levels of these compounds in crop residues are modified by increasing the Mg soil application. This study aimed to assess the effects of the Mg application on the contents of water soluble cations [potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), cooper (Cu²⁺), iron (Fe²⁺), manganese (Mn²⁺), and zinc (Zn²⁺)] on common bean plant residues. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions with Ustoxix Quatzipsamment in completely randomized design in 4×5 factorial scheme, with three replicates. The treatments consisted of four rates of Mg [0, 50, 100 and 200 mg kg^?1, source magnesium chloride (MgCl₂)] and five varieties of common bean of the carioca group [BRS Estilo, BRS Ametista, IPR Campos Gerais (CG), IPR Tangará and IAPAR 81]. The Mg rates affected the contents of water soluble Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ in the extracts of bean residue. The soluble Mg²⁺ showed a significant correlation with foliar Mg content, indicating the need for further research on the method used to assess nutrient availability in vegetables. The bean varieties showed different responses regarding balance of ions in cation exchange capacity (CEC) and in the Ca/Mg, Ca/K and Mg/K ratios in the soil.     

PHYTOTOXICITY OF SALTS IN COMPOSTED SEWAGE SLUDGE AND CORRELATION WITH SODIUM CHLORIDE,CALCIUM NITRATE,AND MAGNESIUM NITRATE

The phytotoxicity of salts in composted sewage sludge (CSS) was evaluated. Concentrations of sodium (Na⁺), chloride (Cl^?1), calcium (Ca²⁺), and magnesium (Mg²⁺) were present at levels that would induce salt stress in plants. Nutrient imbalances were also found that would adversely affect the use of CSS as a growth medium. To further understand the phytotoxic nature of these salts, sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium nitrate [Ca(NO₃)₂] and magnesium nitrate [Mg(NO₃)₂] solutions were used to simulate the composition of salts found in CSS in an investigation of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seed germination. High concentrations of Ca²⁺ (92.1 mmol.L^?1) and Mg²⁺ (27.4 mmol.L^?1) inhibited seed germination to an equal extent as did Na⁺ (40.6 mmol.L^?1). The lower concentration of Ca²⁺ (10 mmol.L^?1), however, significantly relieved the stress caused by NaCl. These results indicated that the composition and total amount of Na⁺, Cl^?1, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ in CSS should be carefully monitored before it is used as a soil amendment or growth medium.     

COMPARISON OF OSMOTIC REGULATION IN DEHYDRATION- AND SALINITY-STRESSED SUNFLOWER SEEDLINGS

Plant dry matter accumulation rate (DMAR), relative water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage percentage (ELP), chlorophyll content, osmotic adjustment ability (OAA), and osmotica accumulation in leaves of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seedlings under different levels of dehydration and salinity stress induced by iso-osmotic PEG (polyethylene glycol) or sodium chloride (NaCl) were evaluated. Plants were subjected to four stress treatments for 10 days: ?0.44 MPa PEG6000, ?0.44 MPa NaCl, ?0.88 MPa PEG6000, ?0.88 MPa NaCl. Results showed that PEG and NaCl treatments decreased the plant's DMAR and RWC, and NaCl treatments had more severe inhibitory effect on the plants than PEG treatments. Leaf ELP in sunflower seedlings increased after NaCl and PEG treatments. However, leaf ELP under salt stress was higher than that under dehydration stress (PEG treatment). All stress treatments increased OAA in plant leaves. Leaf OAA was enhanced significantly as PEG concentration increases, while leaf OAA was less enhanced at higher concentration of NaCl. OAA of sunflower leaves under dehydration stress was due to an increase in potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), amino acid, organic acid, magnesium (Mg²⁺), and proline content. OAA of sunflower leaves under moderate salt stress was owing to an increase in K⁺, chlorine (Cl^?), amino acid, organic acid, sodium (Na⁺), and proline content, and was mainly due to an accumulation of K⁺, Cl^?, Na⁺, and proline under severe salt stress.     

Effect of Salinity on Growth of Twelve Cultivars of the United Arab Emirates Date Palm

To successfully use salt water for crop production and start a breeding program, more information is needed about the response of salt‐tolerant plants to saline environments. The objective of this experiment was to test the growth of 12 cultivars of the United Arab Emirates date palm seeds at four sodium chloride (NaCl) levels. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Optimal growth was found at control and 3000 ppm of NaCl. Relative growth rate (RGR), biomass, and number of leaves (NL) decreased significantly by increasing salinity. Increased NaCl leads to significant decreases in potassium (K⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), and calcium (Ca²⁺) contents of plants. The Na/K ratios were lower in shoots than in roots. ‘Lulu,’ ‘Fard,’ ‘Khnaizi,’ ‘Nabtat Safi,’ and ‘Razez’ cultivars showed greater RGR and biomasses, whereas ‘Khnaizi,’ ‘Mesally,’ and ‘Safri’ had greater Na/K ratios than others in the control indicating greater Na⁺ discriminations from plant parts.     

The regulation of accumulation and secretion of several major inorganic cations by Chinese Iris under NaCl stress

Chinese Iris (Iris lactea Pall. var. chinensis (Fisch.) Koidz.) is a monocotyledonous halophyte, which is considered an important salt-tolerant species. In this study, the plant growth, ion absorption and transportation and leaf secretion characteristics of Iris under sodium chloride (NaCl) stress were investigated using nutrient solutions with four NaCl concentrations ranging from 0 to 300 mmol L^?1. The main results indicated that Na⁺ secretion accounted for 5.7–11.5% of the ion distribution pattern of 90% of the ions accumulated in vivo by Iris. The ion transportation ratio was potassium > magnesium > calcium > sodium, (K⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Na⁺), K⁺/Na⁺, Ca²⁺/Na⁺, Mg²⁺/Na⁺ in the shoot were greater than those in the root. K–Na and Ca–Na selectivity ratios showed an increasing trend overall. The contribution of salt secretion to the salt tolerance of Iris was tiny, which will be discussed in further research, achieving ion balance in vivo through selective absorption and transportation under salt stress is undoubtedly a primary salt-tolerance adaptation mechanism of Iris.     

Effects of Salinity and Water Stress on Growth and Macro Nutrients Concentration of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

In order to study the effects of salinity and water stress on growth and macronutrients concentration of pomegranate plant leaves, a factorial experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design with 0, 30, and 60 mM of salinity levels of sodium chloride and calcium chloride (1:1) and three irrigation intervals (2, 4, and 6 days) with 3 replications on ‘Rabab’ and ‘Shishegap’ cultivars of pomegranate. The results of the shoot and root analysis indicated that the salinity and drought affected the concentration and distribution of sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), chloride (Cl^?), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), and phosphorus (P⁺) in pomegranate leaves. Mineral concentrations of sodium (Na⁺), chloride (Cl^-), potassium (K⁺), in shoots and roots were increased with increasing salinity. Drought treatments increased the concentration of Cl^?, Na⁺, and Mg²⁺ in the shoot. Both cultivars showed significant differences in the concentrations of elements, however the most accumulation of Na⁺ and Cl^? was observed in ‘Rabab,’ while the ‘Shishegap’ cultivar had the most absorption of K⁺. ‘Shishegap’ cultivar showed higher tolerance to salinity than ‘Rabab’ through maintaining the vegetative growth and lower chloride transport to the shoot, and improvement of potassium transport to shoot.     

不同白榆品系对滨海盐碱地的改良效果及盐分离子的分布与吸收

为揭示不同白榆(Ulmus pumila L.)品系对滨海盐碱地土壤盐分的改良作用及盐分离子在土壤-白榆系统中的分布与吸收特征,筛选适宜在滨海盐碱地造林的耐盐白榆品系,以中度盐渍化生境下4年生的6种白榆品系(1,5,28,30,46,105号)为试验材料,采用野外取样与室内测试相结合的方法,研究了Na+、K+、Ca2+、Mg2+等盐离子在土壤及白榆品系各器官(根、茎、叶)中的分布特征。结果表明:(1)白榆可降低滨海盐碱地土壤中盐离子及全盐含量,不同白榆品系较对照的土壤全盐含量降低了55.0%～63.1%,30号白榆降幅最大。(2)不同白榆品系将Na+、K+、Ca2+、Mg2+优先积累到叶中,且叶中维持较高的K+/Na+、Ca2+/Na+、Mg2+/Na+比值,不同白榆品系通过建立新的离子平衡以适应盐胁迫环境。(3)不同白榆品系的离子吸收选择性系数均为SK,NaSCa,NaSMg,Na,其对K+的吸收选择性大于对Ca2+、Mg2+吸收选择性;种内差异导致不同白榆品系对Na+、K+、Ca2+、Mg2+吸收选择能力不同,28号白榆根系对K+的吸收性最强,5号白榆根系对Ca2+、Mg2+的吸收性最强。     

Comparison of various methods for the determination of inorganic species in airborne atmospheric particulates

The performance of various filters used for determining inorganic species (heavy metals, light metals, anions and ammonium ion) in airborne particulates was comparatively assessed. Filters used in the determination of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cr³⁺, Ni²⁺, V (V), Mn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were attacked by acid extraction (glass microfibre filters, GF/A), acid extraction and microwave oven digestion (quartz filters, QM-A), and muffle furnace calcination and microwave oven digestion (Whatman-41 cellulose filters, W-41). The behaviour of the different filters tested towards aqueous extraction for the determination of anions (Cl^?, NO ₃ ^? , SO ₄ ^? , ammonium ion and light metals (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) was also studied and the results obtained for the light metals were compared with those provided by acid attack. All metals except vanadium were determined by ICP-AES; cadmium, lead and vanadium were analysed for by GFAAS; anions were quantified by ion chromatography (SO ₄ ^? was also measured by ICP-AES); and ammonium ion was determined by the Indophenol Blue method.     

Molybdenum Affects Photosynthesis and Ionic Homeostasis of Chinese Cabbage under Salinity Stress

A pot trial was conducted to clarify the effects of molybdenum (Mo) on photosynthesis and ionic homeostasis of Chinese cabbage under salinity stress. Mo was applied at three levels (0, 0.15, 0.3 mg kg^?1). Ten days after sowing, 500 ml of 0.8% of NaCl solution was added to half of the plants for each treatment every 10th day for three consecutive times. The results revealed that fresh weight was significantly increased by application of Mo under salt stress; contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotene, and total chlorophyll were all raised by application of Mo; photosynthesis rate was enhanced by nonstomatal factors by application of Mo; and the ratios of potassium/sodium ions (K⁺/Na⁺), calcium/sodium ions (Ca²⁺/Na⁺), and magnesium/sodium ions (Mg²⁺/Na⁺) were all increased by application of Mo under salt stress. The study suggests that the application of Mo enhances salinity stress tolerance in Chinese cabbage by increasing the photosynthesis rate and the ionic homeostasis adjustment.     

SPECIFIC ION EFFECTS ON THE SEED GERMINATION OF SUNFLOWER

Salinity can affect germination of seeds either by creating osmotic potentials that prevent water uptake or by toxic effects of specific ions. This work was carried out to evaluate the germination of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds under increasing salinity by using the most abundant salts in China. Potassium (K⁺), sodium (Na⁺), and calcium (Ca²⁺) contents in hypocotyls were determined on the fifth day. At same concentration of salt solution, the adverse effect of ions is in the following sequence: carbonate radical (CO₃ ^2?) > sulfate radical (SO₄ ^2?), chloride (Cl^?) > bicarbonate radical (HCO₃ ^?), magnesium (Mg²⁺) > Ca²⁺, and Na⁺ > K⁺. The effect of salinity on the germination phase of development is mainly due to its osmotic component other than the ion toxicity. Calcium decreased as increasing of the concentration of salt solutions, and cannot act as the role of enhancing cell division and membrane permeability.     

Adjustment of mineral ratio and composition in rice genotypes under varied salinity regimes

A study of the salinity effect on mineral content in rice genotypes differing in salt tolerance was conducted in a factorial Completely Randomized Design experiment. The results indicated that the genotypes developed differently by mutation conventional breeding. NS15 represented as salt-sensitive, Pokkali was included as an internationally salt-tolerant check and Iratom24 was moderately tolerant. The content of Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl^? followed an increasing pattern in roots and shoots of all the rice genotypes due to increasing salinity levels except Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the root. However, the concentration of K⁺ showed more or less an increasing pattern in root and a decreasing pattern in shoot. The concentration of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ sharply increased with increasing the salinity levels in both the roots and shoots of NS15. The concentration of K⁺ sharply decreased in shoot and increased in the root of susceptible genotype NS15 with increasing salinity over 6 dS m^?1 salinity levels, where the transformation of K⁺ from root to shoot was disrupted by Na⁺. The Cl^? content sharply increased with increasing salinity in the root of NS15 as compared to shoot. The effect of different salinity levels on Na⁺/K⁺ ratio in the shoots of the selected rice genotypes sharply increased in susceptible genotype NS15 as compared to the other genotypes.     

Sodium‐calcium interactions with growth,water, and photosynthetic parameters in salt‐treated beans

Calcium (Ca²⁺) amelioration of the plant's growth response to salinity depends on genetic factors. In this work, supplemental Ca²⁺ did not improve growth in Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Contender under high‐saline conditions and negatively affected several physiological parameters in nonsalinized plants. The response to supplemental Ca²⁺ was examined using plants grown in 25% modified Hoagland solution at different Na⁺ : Ca²⁺ ratios. In control plants (1 mM Ca²⁺; 1 mM Na⁺) surplus Ca²⁺ (4 or 10 mM) was associated with stomatal closure, decrease of hydraulic conductivity, sap flow, leaf specific dry weight, leaf K⁺ and leaf Mg²⁺ concentrations, and inhibition of CO₂ assimilation. Leaf water content was enhanced, while water‐use efficiency and dry matter were unaffected during the 15 d experimental period. The Ca²⁺ effect was not cation‐specific since similar results were found in plants supplied with high external Mg²⁺ or with a combination of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. Relative to control plants, salinization (50 and 100 mM NaCl) caused a decrease in dry matter, hydraulic conductivity, sap flow, leaf Mg²⁺ activity, and inhibition of stomatal opening and CO₂ assimilation. However, NaCl (50 and 100 mM NaCl) enhanced leaf K⁺ concentration and water‐use efficiency. At 100 mM NaCl, leaf water content also significantly increased. Supplemental Ca²⁺ had no amelioration effect on the salt‐stress response of this bean cultivar. In contrast, the 50 mM–NaCl treatment improved stomatal conductance and CO₂‐assimilation rate in plants exposed to the highest Ca²⁺ concentration (10 mM). Phaseolus vulgaris is classified as a very NaCl‐sensitive species. The similarities in the effects caused by supplemental Ca²⁺, supplemental Mg²⁺, and NaCl salinity suggest that P. vulgaris cv. Contender has a high non‐ion‐specific salt sensitivity. On the other hand, the improvement in gas‐exchange parameters in Ca²⁺‐supplemented plants by high NaCl could be the result of specific Na⁺‐triggered responses, such as an increase in the concentration of K⁺ in the leaves.     

Effects of Supplemental Calcium on Ion Accumulation,Transport and Plant Growth of Salt Sensitive Brassica Rapa Landrace

ABSTRACT

Effects of three supplemental calcium (Ca⁺⁺; 2.5, 5.0, and 10 mole m^?3) concentrations on ion accumulation, transport, selectivity, and plant growth of salt-sensitive species, Brassica rapa ‘Sani’ in saline medium were investigated. Supplemental Ca⁺⁺ in the presence of 125 mol m^?3 sodium chloride (NaCl) did not improve the dry weight and leaf area indicating no role played by Ca⁺⁺ in the alleviation of salinity induced growth inhibition. However, calcium chloride (CaCl₂) did significantly affect sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), and Ca⁺⁺ contents of roots and shoots. The ion contents of shoots were significantly greater than those of roots per g dry weight, indicating ion transportation to shoots is greater than ion accumulation in roots. Use of CaCl₂ in 125 mol m^?3 NaCl reduced the Na⁺ content but increased K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ contents in shoots. Sodium contents in shoots differed among the supplemental Ca⁺⁺ treatments indicating the role of CaCl₂ in Na⁺ ions transportation. Calcium content in shoots declined significantly in the control treatment (0 CaCl₂) but increased significantly in 10 mol m^?3 CaCl₂. The root also showed the effects of Ca⁺⁺ on the reduction of Na⁺ content and the increase of K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ content. Unexpectedly, 5 mol m^?3 CaCl₂ induced the highest Na⁺ content in roots at 16 days after treatment. Supplemental CaCl₂ application influenced the K⁺ or Ca⁺⁺ selectivity over Na⁺ in two ways, ion accumulation at roots and transport to shoots. However, high CaCl₂ treatments allowed greater Ca⁺⁺ selectivity over Na⁺ than low CaCl₂. Likewise, high supplemental CaCl₂ showed higher K⁺ selectivity over Na⁺ than low CaCl₂. A marked increase in K⁺ versus Na⁺ selectivity for the transport process occurred at 10 mol m^?3 CaCl₂ treatments. The roots and shoots exhibited higher K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca⁺⁺/Na⁺ ratios in high CaCl₂ treatment than in low. The results are discussed in context to supplemental Ca⁺⁺ concentrations, ions accumulation, transportation and selectivity of salt sensitive Brassica rapa cultivar.     

Effects of Zeolite on Soil Nutrients and Growth of Barley Following Irrigation with Saline Water

ABSTRACT

Soil salinity is a major abiotic factor limiting crop production but an amendment with synthetic zeolite may mitigate effects of salinity stress on plants. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of zeolite on soil properties and growth of barley irrigated with diluted seawater. Barley was raised on a sand dune soil treated with calcium type zeolite at the rate of 1 and 5% and irrigated every alternate day with seawater diluted to electrical conductivity (EC) levels of 3 and 16 dS m^?1. Irrigation with 16 dS m^?1 saline water significantly suppressed plant height by 25%, leaf area by 44% and dry weight by 60%. However, a substantial increase in plant biomass of salt stressed barley was observed in zeolite-amended treatments. The application of zeolite also enhanced water and salt holding capacity of soil. Post-harvest soil analysis showed high concentrations of calcium (Ca^{2 +}), magnesium (Mg^{2 +}), sodium (Na⁺), and potassium (K⁺) due to saline water especially in the upper soil layer but concentrations were lower in soils treated with zeolite. Zeolite application at 5% increased Ca^{2 +} concentration in salt stressed plants; concentrations of trace elements were also increased by 19% for iron (Fe^{2 +}) and 10% for manganese (Mn^{2 +}). The overall results indicated that soil amendment with zeolite could effectively ameliorate salinity stress and improve nutrient balance in a sandy soil.     

Influence of mist pH and acid anion on cation efflux from pinto bean foliage

The cation content of droplets collected from Phaseolus vulgaris (pinto bean) leaf surfaces during misting was more strongly influenced by mist pH (2.5, 4.0, or deionized water) than by source of acidity (HCI or H₂SO₄ + HNO₃). Concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺ were highest in droplets from leaves treated with the pH 2.5 mists, but there were often no differences between the pH 4.0 and deionized water treatments. Cation content and pH of droplets from leaves treated with pH 2.5 mists increased across the three days of treatment, while those from leaves treated with less acidic mists decreased or did not change across the days of treatment. Source of acidity often affected foliar concentrations of Mg²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺, but in inconsistent directions, and foliar concentrations of Mg²⁺ and K⁺ were unaffected by mist pH. Foliar Ca ²⁺ concentrations were often highest in leaves treated with pH 2.5 mists, in contrast to expectation, perhaps because of effects of acidic mist on foliar carbohydrate status. Despite the large efflux of cations from leaves treated with pH 2.5 mists, foliar cation concentrations in nonmisted foliage were sometimes lower than in misted foliage (Ca²⁺), but were higher in other cases (Na⁺) or indistinguishable in still others (K^?). While exposure of plants to highly acidic mists appeared to cause accelerated efflux of foliar cations, effects on foliar chemistry are probably dependent on soil nutrient status and on other aspects of plant vigor.