Growth,Mineral Composition,and Biochemical Changes of Broad Bean as Affected by Sodium Chloride and Zinc Levels and Sources

Plants grown in salt‐affected soils may suffer from limited available water, ion toxicity, and essential plant nutrient deficiency, leading to reduced growth. The present experiment was initiated to evaluate how salinity and soil zinc (Zn) fertilization would affects growth and chemical and biochemical composition of broad bean grown in a calcareous soil low in available Zn. The broad bean was subjected to five sodium chloride (NaCl) levels (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 m mol kg^?1 soil) and three Zn rates [0, 5, and 10 mg kg^?1 as Zn sulfate (ZnSO₄) or Zn ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA)] under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was arranged in a factorial manner in a completely randomized design with three replications. Sodium chloride significantly decreased shoot dry weight, leaf area, and chlorophyll concentration, whereas Zn treatment strongly increased these plant growth parameters. The suppressing effect of soil salinity on the shoot dry weight and leaf area were alleviated by soil Zn fertilization, but the stimulating effect became less pronounced at higher NaCl levels. Moreover, rice seedlings treated with ZnSO₄ produced more shoot dry weight and had greater leaf area and chlorophyll concentration than those treated with Zn EDTA. In the present study, plant chloride and sodium accumulations were significantly increased and those of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) strongly decreased as NaCl concentrations in the soil were increased. Moreover, changes in rice shoot Cl^?, Na⁺, and K⁺ concentrations were primarily affected by the changes in NaCl rate and to a lesser degree were related to Zn levels. The concentrations of Cl^? and Na⁺ associated with 50% shoot growth suppression were greater with Zn‐treated plants than untreated ones, suggesting that Zn fertilization might increase the plant tolerance to high Cl^? and Na⁺ accumulations in rice shoot. Zinc application markedly increased Zn concentration of broad bean shoots, whereas plants grown on NaCl‐treated soil contained significantly less Zn than those grown on NaCl‐untreated soil. Our study showed a consistent increase in praline content and a significant decrease in reducing sugar concentration with increasing salinity and Zn rates. However, Zn‐treated broad bean contained less proline and reducing sugars than Zn‐untreated plants, and the depressing impact of applied Zn as Zn EDTA on reducing sugar concentration was greater than that of ZnSO₄. In conclusion, it appears that when broad bean is to be grown in salt‐affected soils, it is highly advisable to supply plants with adequate available Zn.     

Effects of Zinc Application on Growth,Absorption and Distribution of Mineral Nutrients Under Salinity Stress in Soybean (Glycine Max L.)

The purpose of the present work was to evaluate effects of zinc application on growth and uptake and distribution of mineral nutrients under salinity stress [0, 33, 66, and 99 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)] in soybean plants. Results showed that, salinity levels caused a significant decrease in shoot dry and fresh weight in non-zinc application plants. Whereas, zinc application on plants exposed to salinity stress improved the shoot dry and fresh weight. Potassium (K) concentration, K/sodium (Na) and calcium (Ca)/Na ratios significantly decreased, while sodium (Na) concentration increased in root, shoot, and seed as soil salinity increased. Phosphorus (P) concentration significantly decreased in shoot under salinity stress. Moreover, calcium (Ca) significantly decreased in root, but increased in seed with increased salinization. Iron (Fe) concentration significantly decreased in all organs of plant (root, shoot, and seed) in response to salinity levels. Zinc (Zn) concentration of plant was not significantly affected by salinity stress. Copper (Cu) concentration significantly decreased by salinity in root. Nonetheless, manganese (Mn) concentration of root, shoot, and seed was not affected by experimental treatments. Zinc application increased Ca/Na (shoot and seed) ratio and K (shoot and seed), P (shoot), Ca (root and seed), Zn (root, shoot, and seed) and Fe (root and shoot) concentration in soybean plants under salinity stress. Zinc application decreased Na concentration in shoot tissue.     

Effect of Salinity and Nitrogen Application on Growth,Chemical Composition and Some Biochemical Indices of Pistachio Seedlings (Pistacia Vera L.)

To study the effect of nitrogen and salinity on growth and chemical composition of pistachio seedlings (cv. ‘Badami’), a greenhouse experiment was conducted. Treatments consisted of four salinity levels [0, 800, 1600, and 2400 mg sodium chloride (NaCl) kg^?1 soil], and four nitrogen (N) levels (0, 60, 120, and 180 mg kg^?1 soil as urea). Treatments were arranged in a factorial manner in a completely randomized design with three replications. The highest level of nitrogen and salinity decreased leaf and root dry weights. Nitrogen application significantly increased the concentration of shoot N and salinity suppressed shoot N concentration. Salinity and nitrogen fertilization increased shoot and root sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations. Nitrogen application increased proline concentration and reducing sugar content. Although salinity levels increased proline concentration a specific trend on reducing sugars content was not observed.     

How Nitrogen and Zinc Levels Affect Seed Yield,Quality, and Nutrient Uptake of Canola Irrigated with Saline and Ultra-Saline Water

In order to investigate the effects of nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) fertilizers on seed yield, oil percentage, glucosinolate content, and nutrient uptake of canola (Brassica napus L. cv. Okapi), irrigated with saline and ultra-saline water, field experiments were conducted in Agriculture Research Centre of East Azarbaijan, Iran, during three consecutive years: 2011, 2012, and 2013. The experiments were carried out based on randomized complete block design arranged in factorial with three replications. The experimental treatments included N rates at three levels (0, 50, and 100 kg ha^?1), Zn rates at three levels (0, 5, and 10 kg ha^?1), and saline water at two levels (8 and 16 dS m^?1 as saline and ultra-saline water). According to the results, N and Zn application had a significant effect on the plant height, pod number per plant, and seed yield. However, the value of these traits decreased as a result of the higher salinity level (from 8 to 16 dS m^?1). From the results, the glucosinolate content was not affected by N or Zn fertilization, whereas, salinity increased the glucosinolate content from 27.51% to 30.06% when saline water and ultra-saline water were applied, respectively. In addition, the effect of ultra-saline water on the decrease in the N, phosphorous, potassium, and calcium uptake and the increase in the sodium and chlorine accumulation in canola seed was significant. However, Zn application could diminish adverse effects of salinity on phosphorus uptake. For instance, under ultra-saline water conditions, application of 10 kg ha^?1 Zn increased the seed phosphorus content compared with control treatment. In general, it seems that nutrients’ supply, especially N and Zn, can be considered as an effective solution to diminish adverse effects of salinity.     

EFFECTS OF SALINITY AND SOIL ZINC APPLICATION ON GROWTH AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PISTACHIO SEEDLINGS

The effects of four salinity levels [0, 1000, 2000, and 3000 mg sodium chloride (NaCl) kg^?1 soil] and three zinc (Zn) levels [0, 5, and 10 mg kg^?1 soil as zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄.7 H₂O)] on growth and chemical composition of pistachio seedlings (Pistacia vera L.) cv. ‘Badami’ were studied in a calcareous soil under greenhouse conditions in a completely randomized design with three replications. After 26 weeks, the dry weights of leaves, stems and roots were measured and the total leaf area determined. Salinity decreased leaf, stem, and root dry weights and leaf area, while this effect diminished with increasing Zn levels. Zn fertilization increased leaf, stem and root Zn concentrations, leaf potassium (K) concentration, and stem and root sodium (Na) concentrations, while decreased leaf Na concentration, and stem and root K concentrations. Salinity stress decreased leaf, stem, and root Zn concentrations, and leaf K concentration, while salinity increased leaf, stem and root Na concentrations, and stem and root K concentrations. Proline accumulation increased with increasing salinity levels, whereas the reverse trend was observed for reducing sugar contents. Zn application decreased proline concentration but increased reducing sugar contents. These changes might have alleviated the adverse effects of salinity stress.     

Influence of sodium chloride on the growth and mineral nutrition of pepper cultivars

The response of four cultivars of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), Yolo Wonder, HDA 103, HDA 174, and SC 81 to sodium chloride (NaCl) salinity was studied in hydroponic culture by comparing three different NaCl concentrations: 0 mM, 50 mM, and 100 mM. For all cultivars, growth was reduced when NaCl concentration in the growth medium increased. However, cultivar behavior as a function of the NaCl concentration was not homogenous. The HDA 174 displayed the best growth when NaCl concentration was high, while Yolo Wonder was the most sensitive to salinity. The SC 81 showed intermediate behavior since its growth was low at all treatment levels, but it reacted only slightly to increasing salinity. The analytical results showed that growth was very closely linked to the zinc (Zn) content of the blade: the best growth was observed when the percentage of Zn in the blade was low, whereas high Zn content was linked to sharp reduction in growth. The most tolerant cultivar, HDA 174, showed an original response: the sodium (Na) was strongly accumulated in the leaf blade, whereas the other cultivars tended to avoid Na accumulation. This corresponded to an adaptation observed for halophyte plants.     

Salinity affects phosphorus uptake and partitioning in zucchini

Abstract

Zucchini plants (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Moschata) were grown in artificial soil in 1‐m³ containers under greenhouse conditions in order to determine how to improve the performance of this crop in an salinity‐affected agricultural area where there can be an enormous economic return with correction. Eight weeks after planting, four salinity treatments were initiated by the addition of 0, 20, 40, or 80 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) to the irrigation water. The leaves and fruits were collected and both total phosphorus (P) and inorganic P concentrations were measured. As salinity increased, total and inorganic P concentration in the leaf increased significantly. With the salinity increase, total and inorganic P concentration in the fruit was not affected. Total P content decreased in the skin and then returned to levels close to the control. In the fleshy part as well as in the whole fruit, however, increased salinity increased total P accumulation. Inorganic P content in the pulp increased significantly, while in skin and whole fruit, inorganic P content was not affected by the NaCl treatment. In our study, these P forms in the fruit showed that increased salinity augmented P accumulation, especially in the fleshy part where the accumulation of both P forms was not only more pronounced, but was also more directly related to increases in soil salinity. Thus, it is necessary to know what responses occur under such salinity conditions in order to improve the fertilizer management, and therefore crop performance, when dealing with this high ionic contamination.     

Interactive Effect of Moisture Levels and Salinity Levels of Soil on the Growth and Ion Relations of Halophyte

Abstract

A pot culture experiment with four levels of soil moisture (40, 55, 70, and 85% of field capacity) and five levels of sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM) in soil was conducted to examine the interactive effect of soil moisture and NaCl on the growth of halophyte Suaeda salsa. Results showed that growth was largest at 55% of field capacity, in the range of 50–100 mM NaCl. However, at 85% of field capacity, it can grow better at higher salinity levels; and at 40% of field capacity, the growth of S. salsa was increased greatly by moderate salinity. Contents of sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) in plant tissues increased with the decrease of moisture levels of soil. Potassium (K) concentrations were also increased at low soil moisture. Drought tolerance was increased by moderate NaCl concentrations. It is thus considered that some amounts of Na and Cl are required to absorb water in this plant.     

Responses of Growth and Chemical Composition of Pistachio Seedling to Phosphorus Fertilization Under Saline Conditions

A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate effects of phosphorus (P) levels (0, 50 and 100 mg kg^?1 soil) under saline (0, 1000 and 2000 mg sodium chloride (NaCl) kg^?1 soil) conditions on growth and chemical composition of pistachio seedlings (Pistacia vera L.) cv. ‘Badami-zarand’ in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Results showed that salinity application decreased leaf, stem, and root dry weights, number of leaf, length of stem and leaf area, while this effect diminished with P fertilization. By increasing salinity levels, all of the nutrients concentration in leaf, stem and root except sodium (Na) content were reduced. P application increased P and potassium (K) concentrations in the leaves, stem and root, while decreased Na and Zinc (Zn) leaf, stem and root concentrations. However, the results indicated that proline accumulation and reducing sugar content were increased by salinity, P and their interaction application. The results suggest that fertilization of phosphorus can diminish some adverse effects of high salinity on growth and chemical composition of pistachio seedlings.     

Dynamics of Soil Moisture and Salt Content After Infiltration of Saline Ice Meltwater in Saline-Sodic Soil Columns

Saline ice meltwater can be used for irrigation and leaching of salts in salt-affected soil regions.A laboratory experiment was conducted using soil columns to investigate the redistribution of soil moisture, salt and sodium adsorption ratio(SAR) in saline-sodic soil under the infiltration of saline ice meltwater.Soils were treated using saline water of three irrigation volumes(1 600, 2 400 and 3 200 mL) at four salinity levels.These four salinity levels included salt free(0 g L~(-1)), low salinity level(1.4 g L~(-1)), moderate salinity level(2.7 g L~(-1)) and high salinity level(4.1 g L~(-1)).The prepared saline water was frozen into ice, and then the ice was put on the surface of soil columns.After 96 h, the infiltration rate and soil moisture content of saline ice treatments were greater than those of salt-free ice treatments, increasing with the increase of ice salinity.Infiltration of saline ice meltwater increased soil moisture content in the upper layers for all treatments.Both salt contents and SAR values in the upper soil layers decreased in all saline ice treatments and were lower than those in salt-free ice treatment.However, this trend was reversed in the deeper(below 20 cm) soil layers.The highest desalting rate and lowest SAR were observed in high-salinity treatment under three irrigation volumes in the 0–15 cm soil layer,especially under irrigation volume of 2 400 mL.These results indicate that saline ice(0–20 cm) meltwater irrigation is beneficial to saline-sodic soil reclamation, and the best improvement effect would be achieved when using high-salinity ice under optimal irrigation volume.     

Effect of exogenous application of salicylic acid on salt-stressed sorghum growth and nutrient contents

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of salinity and foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) on sorghum biomass and nutrient contents. Treatments were comprised of salinity levels (0 and 100?mM NaCl) and SA concentrations (0.3, 0.7, 1.1 and 1.5?mM). Salinity increased sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl) and copper (Cu) but decreased nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) contents and the root and shoot dry matter. Fe and Zn were the most affected nutrients by salinity. However, SA reduced Na and Cl but increased plant dry matter and nutrient content. SA had greater positive effects on root than on shoot dry matter. Maximum increases through SA were achieved in N, K, Fe, Mn, Cu, and shoot weight under salt stress but in Zn and root weight under non-saline condition. In most cases 1.1?mM was the most effective SA concentration in reducing the negative effects of salinity.     

Growth and micronutrient acquisition of some apple varieties in response to gradual in vitro induced salinity

Growth and micronutrient acquisition of some apple (Malus dometsica Borkh) varieties (Galla, MM 111, MM I06, M 26, and M6 York) were studied under gradually in vitro induced NaCl (from 0, 50 to 100 mM) salinity. Microshoot dry weight tended to increase with increasing salinity level in all varieties except in M 26 and M6 York as some decline was obtained at 100 mM NaCl. Shoot proliferation was decreased significantly in Galla at 100 mM NaCl and at both salinity levels in M 26 compared to the control (0 mM). A significant decrease in shoot zinc (Zn) acquisition with increasing salinity level was obtained in all varieties except MM 111. M6 York and MM 111 decreased their copper (Cu) acquisition significantly at 50 mM NaCl and then increased at 100 mM salinity level. Meanwhile, a significant decrease in Cu acquisition with increasing NaCl concentration was obtained in Galla and M 26. Galla, MM 106, and M 26 showed a significant increase in manganese (Mn) acquisition at 50 mM NaCl followed by a decrease at 100 mM salinity level. On the other hand, Mn acquisition continued to decrease significantly in MM 111 while M6 York increased its Mn acquisition with increasing salinity. M 111 and M6 York showed a significant decrease in iron (Fe) acquisition at 50 mMNaCl followed by an increase at 100mM NaCl. Galla and M 26 continued to decrease Fe acquisition with elevated salinity level, whereas Fe in MM 106 increased with salinity.     

Influence of salinity in irrigation water on forage sorghum and soil chemical properties

Abstract

Soluble salts found in wastewater can be toxic when used for irrigation of forages. Thus, two greenhouse experiments were conducted to investigate effects of saline [CaCl₂NaCl (3:1, w:w)] treatments on soil chemical properties and ‘Dekalb FS‐5’ forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench]. Treatments for the first experiment consisted of a nonsaline control or 500 mL of a solution with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 10 dS m^?1 applied once. In the second experiment, treatments were salinity levels of 1.7,3.5,5.2,8.5, and 12.2 dS m^?1, applied in non‐nitrogenous Hoagland's solution as the sole source of irrigation. Both experiments were replicated four times. For both experiments forage sorghum was seeded in pots containing 7 kg of air‐dried Amarillo fine sandy loam soil. Sorghum survivability and plant height were measured. In the second experiment, water use by sorghum was also measured. Plants were harvested 7 wk after seeding, weighed, dried at 55°C, weighed, and ground for subsequent mineral analysis. After harvest, soil salinity, pH, and in the second experiment, extractable soil elements were determined. Soil salinity increased, while soil pH decreased, with the salinity treatments. Extracted soil calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), manganese (Mn), and cadmium (Cd) increased while sulfur (S), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) decreased, and aluminum (Al) and zinc (Zn) exhibited no change with increasing salinity. Sorghum aerial plant and root production decreased with increasing salinity. Plant Ca, strontium (Sr), Mn, and Cd levels increased with increasing salinity. In contrast, sorghum K, P, and S levels declined with increasing salinity.     

INFLUENCE OF NITROGEN AND SALINITY LEVELS ON THE FRUIT YIELD AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF TOMATO IN A HYDROPONIC CULTURE

Tomato seedlings were transferred to continuously, aerated plastic containers. Treatments consisted of three nitrogen (N) levels [0, 1.5, and 3% as ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) and ammonium phosphate (NH₄H₂PO₄) 2:1 w/w] and three salinity levels (0, 30, and 60 mM using sodium chloride (NaCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂)]. Results indicated significant positive and negative responses in fruits fresh weight to nitrogen and salinity treatments, respectively. Number of fruits and root length decreased at high salinity level. Phosphorus (P) content was highest in fruits and lowest in roots. Fruit P uptake decreased with salinity applications in N controls. At low salinity levels, N application mitigated the salinity detrimental effects; however, such an effect was not observed at the high salinity level. Nitrogen application significantly decreased iron, zinc, copper, and manganese concentration and uptake. Application of nitrogen and salinity levels significantly increased the citric acid content of tomato fruits. Vitamin C content of fruits was neither influenced by nitrogen nor by salinity.     

Exogenous application of zinc mitigates the deleterious effects in eggplant grown under salinity stress

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Zn application to salt stressed eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) seedlings grown in vitro and whether it can alleviate the deleterious effects of salinity or not. Zinc (0, 5, 10 and 20?mg/L) and sodium chloride (NaCl) at different concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150?mM) were added to solidified half strength MS medium placed in 250?mL glass jars. The treatments were arranged in a 4?×?4 factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with four replications. Application of Zn to growing seedlings at different concentrations (5, 10 or 20?mg/L) increased the length of shoot and root and their dry weights, as well as enhanced the photosynthetic pigment contents and leaf relative water content compared to control. However, the application of NaCl to growing seedlings at different concentrations (50, 100 and 150?mM) significantly reduced the above mentioned attributes compared to control and those of Zn treatments alone. Treatment of seedlings with either Zn (5, 0 or 20?mg/L) or NaCl (50, 100 or 150?mM) significantly increased the proline content and the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in growing seedlings. However, the application of Zn to salt stressed seedlings mitigated the deleterious effects of salt stress in growing seedlings and increased the tolerance of seedlings to its deleterious effects.     

Change of Zinc Forms in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils of Maize (Zea mays L.) Plants as Influenced by Soil Drought Condition

A rhizobox experiment was conducted to study the changes of various zinc (Zn) forms in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils of maize (Zea mays L.) plants grown under well-watered and drought conditions. The tested soil was earth-cumulic orthic anthrosol sampled from the Shaanxi Province of China. The experiment was set at two levels of Zn, 0 and 5.0 mg Zn kg^?1 soil, and at two treatments of soil water content, 45%–50% (drought) and 70%–75% (well watered) of soil water-holding capacity. A completely randomized factorial design (2 Zn treatments × 2 water levels × 3 replicates) was set up. Adequate soil water supply enhanced growth and Zn accumulation of maize plants. Applying Zn increased plant biomass and Zn content more notably under well-watered conditions rather than drought conditions. Soil Zn was defined as water-soluble plus exchangeable (WSEXC) Zn, carbonate-bound Zn (CA), iron–manganese oxide–bound Zn (FeMnOX), organic matter–bound Zn (OM), and residual Zn (RES) forms using the sequential extraction procedure. Most of Zn was predominantly in the RES fraction. Zinc application increased the contents of WSEXC Zn, CA Zn, and FeMnOX Zn in soil. When Zn was added to the soil, the concentrations of CA Zn within 0–2 mm and 0–4 mm apart from the central root compartment (CC) were greater than other zones under the conditions of adequate and limited soil water supplies, respectively. Zinc application also resulted in an accumulation of FeMnOX fractions at a distance of 2 mm from CC. The FeMnOX Zn content in this compartment increased with soil drought. Under well-watered conditions, dry-matter weight and Zn concentration of shoots presented better correlations with CA Zn and FeMnOX Zn fractions in and near the rhizosphere as compared with drought conditions. It is suggested that in an earth-cumulic orthic anthrosol, soil moisture conditions affect the transformation of the added Zn into the CA and FeMnOX fractions near the rhizosphere and their bioavailability to maize plants.     

Changes in Extractable Si,Fe, and Mn as Affected by Silicon,Salinity, and Waterlogging in a Sandy Loam Soil

Silicon (Si) is one of the most abundant elements in the earth's crust, although its availability may be affected by some edaphic and abiotic factors such as soil moisture and salinity. In a laboratory experiment, effects of silicon (Si), salinity, and soil moisture on changes of extractable Si, iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) concentrations were investigated on a sandy loam calcareous soil. The experiment was arranged as a factorial completely randomized design with three replications. Two levels of Si (8 and 200 mg per kg of soil), three salinity levels [0.46 dS m^?1, 8 dS m^?1 as sodium chloride (NaCl), and 8 dS m^?1 as four-salt combination], two soil moisture regimes (–20 kPa and waterlogged), and four incubation times (0, 7, 30, and 45 days) were applied. Salt composition consisted of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, calcium chloride, and magnesium sulfate at a molar ratio of 4:2:2:1. Acetic acid–extractable Si, Fe, and Mn were determined after 0, 7, 30, and 45 days of incubation. Waterlogging caused significant increase in the extractable Si, Fe, and Mn. Soil salinity of 8 dS m^?1, only in the form of sodium chloride, resulted in a marked decrease in extractable Si, Fe, and Mn. Silicon addition enhanced the soil Si concentration, with no effect on Fe and Mn. Equilibrium time for Si and Fe was 30 days, whereas Mn concentration reached to a constant level after 1 week of waterlogging. It was concluded that Si, Fe, and Mn fertilizers should be applied in sufficient amounts to the saline soils to prevent their deficiencies in plants. Meanwhile, overfertilization in waterlogged conditions must be avoided, because of the probability of nutrient imbalance or toxicity.     

不同水分状况下施锌对玉米生长和锌吸收的影响

选择潮土(砂壤)和土(粘壤)两种质地不同的土壤,进行盆栽试验,研究不同土壤水分条件下施锌对玉米生长和锌吸收的影响。结果表明,施锌显著增加了玉米植株根、茎、叶以及整株干物质重;缺锌条件下玉米植株根冠比、根叶比和根茎比趋向增大。施锌显著提高了玉米植株各器官中锌的浓度和吸收量,并明显促进锌向地上部运移。干旱胁迫抑制了玉米植株生长,根冠比、根茎比、根叶比增大;随着土壤水分供应增加,植株生长加快,各器官生物量以茎和叶增加大于根。水分胁迫下,在潮土上玉米叶片中锌浓度上升;在土上叶片中锌浓度下降。但增施锌后,根和茎锌浓度增加幅度较大,叶片增加幅度较小;施锌和水分胁迫对根和茎锌浓度的交互作用极显著。水分胁迫下,玉米植株对锌的吸收总量减少。水分胁迫和锌肥施用对玉米叶片、茎锌吸收量的交互作用十分显著,但对根锌吸收量的交互影响不显著。     

EFFECT OF SALINIZATION OF SOIL ON GROWTH,WATER STATUS AND NUTRIENT ACCUMULATION IN SEEDLINGS OF ACACIA AURICULIFORMIS (FABACEAE)

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to assess the effects of salinization of soil on emergence, growth, water status, proline content, and mineral accumulation of seedlings of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth. (Fabaceae). Sodium chloride (NaCl) was added to the soil and salinity was maintained at 0.3, 3.9, 6.0, 7.9, 10.0, 12.1, and 13.9 dS m^?1. Salinity caused reduction in water potential of tissues, which resulted in internal water deficit to plants. Consequently, seedling growth significantly decreased with increase in soil salinity. Proline content in tissues increased with increase in salinity. Potassium and sodium content significantly increased in tissues as salinity increased. Nitrogen content significantly increased in tissues with salinization of soil. Phosphorus, calcium and magnesium content significantly decreased as salinity increased. Changes in tissues and whole-plant accumulation patterns of other nutrients, as well as possible mechanisms for avoidance of sodium toxicity in this tree species in response to salinity, are discussed.     

Effects of Nutrient and NaCl Salinity on Growth,Yield, Quality and Composition of Pepper Grown in Soilless Closed System

The effects of nutrient or sodium chloride (NaCl) salinity on pepper grown in closed soilless culture systems were studied. A control (2 dS m^?1) and two saline nutrient solutions (4 dS m^?1) differing in the salt sources (fertilizers or NaCl) were studied. Shoot biomass production as well as total and marketable yield were more affected by NaCl than nutrient salinity. Fruit dry matter and total soluble solids increased in both salinity treatments compared to the control. Total phenol content rose slightly (10%) with NaCl salinity, while the concentration of carotenoids was enhanced by 40% with NaCl compared to the control and nutrient salinity. The results showed that the response of pepper to salinity is both osmotic and ion specific, but a more negative effect was recorded under NaCl stress. Moreover, the highest content of antioxidant compounds in NaCl treated fruits may indicate that NaCl caused more stressful conditions than nutrient salinity.