Foliar composition of citrus seedlings irrigated with saline waters

Abstract

The effects of increasing levels of NaCl in the irrigation water on the foliar content of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Mn of six citrus seedling varieties were studied. The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions in a factorial design. Treatments consisted of addition of irrigation waters containing 1.5, 10, 20, and 40 me NaCl/l. Increasing salinity significantly decreased K and Mn contents and increased those of N and Mg. Leaf content of P, Ca, and Fe was not affected. Results also showed that seedling variety and sampling data had a significant effect on the mineral composition of the leaf.     

Effects of Sodium Chloride and Mineral Nutrients on Initial Stages of Development of Sunflower Life

Abstract

The effects of three levels of salinity [0, 50, and 100 mM of sodium chloride (NaCl)] and the addition of potassium, calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, manganese, and boron (K, Ca, N, P, Fe, Mn, and B) on seed germination and survival of Helianthus annuus L. plants grown in an inert medium were studied. Increasing levels of salinity significantly decreased germination percentage. The presence of NaCl affected seedling survival rather than germination. Nitrogen addition damaged seedling growth, especially in high saline conditions. Addition of some nutrients may alleviate the effects induced by NaCl. Calcium additions to the culture medium significantly improved germination percentage and seedling survival, which markedly decreased after addition of K and B under saline conditions. Iron addition, especially in the ferrous form, counteracted the effects of salinity on seed germination and seedling survival. Phosphorus addition showed detrimental effects on germination and especially in seedling survival; however, it benefited the surviving seedling's growth.     

Interactive effects of salinity and macronutrient level on wheat. II. Composition

Results of several studies show interactive effects of salinity and macronutrients on the growth of wheat plants. These effects may be associated with the nutrient status in plant tissues. The objective of this study was to investigate interactive effects of salinity and macronutrients on mineral element concentrations in leaves, stems, and grain of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Lona), grown in hydroponics, and the relation of these effects to yield components. Eight salinity levels were established from 0 to 150 mM NaCl, and 1, 0.2, and 0.04 strength Hoagland macronutrient solution (x HS) were used as the macronutrient levels. Sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), chlorine (Cl), and phosphorus (P) in leaves, stems, and grain, NO₃ in leaves and stems, and total nitrogen (N) in grain were determined. Supplemental Ca, Mg, K, and NO₃ added to 0.2 x HS increased mineral concentrations in leaves and stems, but did not improve growth or yield in salinized wheat plants except moderately at 100–150 mM NaCl. In contrast, growth or yield was improved significantly when the concentration of macronutrients was increased from 0.04 to 0.2 × HS. In contrast to leaves and stems, mineral concentrations in grain increased (Na, Cl) or decreased (Ca, Mg, K) only slightly or were not affected (K) by salinity except at high salinity and low macronutrient level. Nitrogen and P concentrations in grain were not affected by salinity. Sodium and Cl concentrations in leaves and stems increased significantly, whereas K and NO₃ decreased significantly, with an increase in salinity regardless of the macronutrient level. The latter was also observed for Ca and Mg in leaves. Extreme Na/Ca ratios in plant tissues negatively affected grain yield production at high salinity with medium or high macronutrient levels and at low macronutrient level together with medium salinity. Even though strong and significant correlations between mineral concentration at grain maturity in leaves, stems, and grain and various yield parameters were observed, our results are inconclusive as to whether toxicity, nutrient imbalance, nutrient deficiency, or all of these factors had a strong influence on grain yield.     

Growth and mineral distribution of Sesuvium portulacastrum l., a salt marsh halophyte,under sodium chloride stress

Abstract

Response of Sesuvium portulacastrum L., to the elogenous addition of sodium chloride (NaCl), applied at different concentrations ranging from 100 to 900 mM was evaluated. Leaf area, shoot and root weight of the treated plants were increased significantly. Total nitrogen (N) content of leaves, stem and root was significantly increased up to 600 mM NaCl, and thereafter declined moderately. Accumulation of potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) were exponentially increased with NaCl treatment as also observed in the case of N. Sodium content of shoot and roots of S. portulacastrum increased significantly with increasing NaCl concentrations. Certain essential elements like copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were also accumulated in all plant parts significantly, up to 600 mM. However, due to high salinization, growth and development of plants inhibited markedly. Furthermore, elemental concentration decreased beyond 600 mM level of NaCl. Due to aging and senescence, marked changes in leaf area, shoot, root volume and mineral content were observed between sampling time.     

Responses of barley to hypoxia and salinity during seed germination,nutrient uptake,and early plant growth in solution culture

The resistance of most plants to salt can be impaired by concurrent waterlogging. However, few studies have examined this interaction during germination and early seedling growth and its implications for nutrient uptake. The aim of the study was to examine the response of germination, early growth, and nutrient uptake to salt (NaCl) and hypoxia applied to barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Stirling), in solution culture. Hypoxia, induced by covering seeds with water, lowered the germination from 94% to 28% but salinity and hypoxia together lowered it further to 13% at 120 mM NaCl. While the germination was 75% at 250 mM NaCl in aerated solution, it was completely inhibited at this NaCl concentration under hypoxia. Sodium ion (Na⁺) concentrations in germinated seedlings increased with increasing salinity under both aerated and hypoxic conditions during germination, while K⁺ and Mg⁺ concentrations were decreased with increasing salinity in 6 d old seedlings. After 20 d, control seedlings had the same dry weights of the roots and shoots with and without hypoxia but at 10 mM NaCl and higher, shoot and root dry weight was depressed with hypoxia. Sodium ion increased in roots and shoots with increased NaCl under both aerated and hypoxic conditions while K⁺ was depressed when salinity and hypoxia were applied together and Ca²⁺ was mostly decreased by NaCl. In general, hypoxia had greater effects on nutrient concentrations than NaCl by decreasing N, P, S, Mg, Mn, Zn, and Fe in shoots and by increasing B concentrations. The threshold salinity levels decreased markedly for germination, uptake of a range of nutrients, and for seedling growth of barley under hypoxic compared to well‐aerated conditions.     

Effects of mes [2(n‐morpholino)‐ethanesulfonic acid] and ph on mineral nutrient uptake by mycor‐rhizal and nonmycorrhizal maize

Mycorrhizal (+VAM) and nonmycorrhizal (‐VAM) maize (Zea mays L.) plants were grown in sand culture in a greenhouse to determine effects of MES [2(N‐morpholino)‐ethanesulfonic acid] (2.0 mM) and pH (4.0, 5.0, 6.0, and 7.0) on mineral nutrient uptake. Plants were inoculated with the vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) isolate Glomus intraradices UT143. Shoot and root dry matter yields were lower in plants grown with MES (+MES) than without MES (‐MES), and decreased as pH increased. Shoot concentrations of N, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn were generally higher in +MES than in ‐MES plants, and nutrient contents of most nutrients were generally higher in + MES than in ‐MES plants. Concentrations of N, Ca, Mg, and Mn increased and P, S, and Fe decreased, while contents of all measured nutrients except Mn and Zn decreased as pH increased. Concentrations of Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu were higher in +VAM than in ‐VAM plants, and contents of P and Ca were higher in ‐VAM than in +VAM plants and Zn content was higher in +VAM than in ‐VAM plants. MES had marked effects on mineral nutrient uptake which should be considered when MES is used to control pH of nutrient solutions for growth of maize.     

Plant tolerance to nickel toxicity: II nickel effects on influx and transport of mineral nutrients in four plant species

Nickel (Ni) is an essential micronutrient for higher plants but is toxic to plants at excess levels. Plant species differ extensively for mineral uptake and accumulation, and these differences often help explain plant tolerances to mineral toxicities/deficiencies. Solution culture experiments were conducted under controlled conditions to determine the effects of Ni on influx into roots (IN) and transport from roots to shoots (TR) of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) in white clover (Trifolium repens L.), cabbage (ßrassica oleracea van capitata L.), ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and maize (Zea mays L.). Nickel decreased both IN and TR of Zn, Cu, Ca, and Mg, but only TR of Fe and Mn in white clover. Both IN and TR of Cu, Fe, Mn, Mg, and S were markedly decreased by Ni >30 μM in cabbage, whereas IN and TR of P increased with Ni treatment. For ryegrass, TR of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ca, and Mg was decreased, but IN of these elements except Mg was not affected by Ni. The IN and TR of P and S were increased in ryegrass with increasing external Ni levels. Nickel inhibited IN of Cu, Ca, and Mg, and TR of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ca, and Mg in maize. Plant species differed in response to Ni relative to IN and TR of mineral nutrients. Plant tolerance to Ni toxicity was associated with the influence of Ni on IN and TR of Cu, Fe, and Mn in white clover and cabbage but not in maize and ryegrass.     

镍污染对小麦幼苗矿质营养元素吸收与累积的影响研究

试验研究Ni胁迫对小麦幼苗茎叶中Cu、Zn、Fe、Mn、Ca和Mg营养元素吸收及累积的影响结果表明 ,Ni胁迫下随土壤施Ni量的增加而小麦幼苗生长受抑 ,生物产量下降 ,小麦幼苗Cu、Fe、Ca和Mg累积量呈下降趋势 ,而Zn、Mn累积量呈增加趋势。小麦幼苗 6种营养元素累积率与其累积量的规律较吻合 ,表明作物受Ni毒害与营养元素代谢平衡失调有关     

EFFECTS OF PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING BACTERIA ON YIELD,GROWTH, LEAF WATER CONTENT,MEMBRANE PERMEABILITY,AND IONIC COMPOSITION OF STRAWBERRY UNDER SALINE CONDITIONS

Plant growth promoting effects of Bacillus subtilis EY2, Bacillus atrophaeus EY6, Bacillus spharicus GC subgroup B EY30, Staphylococcus kloosii EY37 and Kocuria erythromyxa EY43 were tested on strawberry cv. ‘Fern’ in terms of fruit yield, growth, chlorophyll reading value, leaf relative water content (LRWC), membrane permeability and ionic composition of leaves and roots under saline conditions. Compared with 0 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) treatment, the average decrease of yield and LRWC were 51.6% and 21.0%, respectively, when 35 mM NaCl was applied. However, EY30, EY37, and EY43 treatments under saline condition (35 mM NaCl) significantly increased fruit yield (54.4%, 51.7% and 94.9%) compared with 35 mM NaCl treatment without plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB). The LRWC increased from 72.0% in 35 mM NaCl treatment to 88.4%, 86.6%, 84.2%, 83.5%, and 86.2% by EY2, EY6, EY30, EY37, and EY43 applications, respectively. The lowest membrane permeability among the bacterial strains was obtained from EY37 treatment (37) while it was 33 and 58 in 0 mM NaCl and 35 mM NaCl treatments, respectively. The concentration of all plant tissue nutrients investigated [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg)] with the exception of root phosphorus (P) and Mg concentration significantly decreased with 35 mM salt treatment. Nitrogen content of leaves varied between 3.04 and 3.14% in bacterial treatments under saline conditions while it was 2.71% in 35 mM NaCl treatment. In contrast sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) of leaves and Cl content of roots were significantly decreased by root inoculation with all bacterial treatments in comparison to 35 mM NaCl treatment with no inoculation. Treatment with Bacillus EY30, Staphylococcus EY37 and Kocuria EY43 to strawberry plants can ameliorative the deleterious effect of salt stress on fruit yield, growth and nutrition. These results demonstrate that PGPB treatment could be offer an economic and simple means to increased plant resistance for salinity stress.     

Effect of salinity × calcium interaction on cation balance in melon plants grown under two regimes of orthophosphate

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) plants were grown hydroponically in a greenhouse to investigate the interaction of phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) under saline conditions on vegetative biomass and cation balance. Three levels of Ca (0.4, 2, and 8 mM) were combined factorially with two levels of phosphate (0.1 and 1 mM) under two regimes of NaCl salinity (10 and 80 mM). An increase of phosphate and salinity level decreased shoot and root growth. A strong antagonism between Ca and magnesium (Mg) was observed regardless of the salinity level. Calcium effect on growth depended on the salinity level. At low salinity, an increase of Ca reduced sodium (Na) concentration in all plant fractions. At high salinity, this effect was only significant in young and medium leaves. At low salinity and low Ca the reduction of growth could be due to Na toxicity and an unbalanced Ca/Mg ratio. In addition to that, at high salinity, the restoration of growth by increasing Ca concentration in the root medium could be due to an effect on water relation and by increasing potassium K/Na selectivity.     

Aluminum toxicity in maize: Biomass production and nutrient uptake and translocation

The effect of increasing aluminum (Al) concentrations on root nutrient contents along with the concurrent translocation to the shoot of C₄ plants prompted this study. Two‐week‐old maize (Zea mays cv XL‐72.3) plants were therefore submitted for 20 days to Al concentrations ranging from 0 to 3.00 mM in a medium with low ionic strength were used as a test system. Aluminum concentrations in root tissues showed a 3‐fold increase between 0 and 3.00 mM Al treatment, and was not detected in the shoot. Root plasma membrane‐H⁺ ATPase activity decreased after the 0.33 mg L^‐1 Al treatment, while membrane permeability increased up to 1.00 mM Al treatment. Root and shoot biomass decreased after the 0.33 mM Al treatment. All elements in the roots, except potassium (K), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were highest for plants treated with 0.33 mM Al. Potassium increased continuously between 0 and 3.00 mM Al treatments, and iron (Fe) decreased above 0.33 mM. Only a slight decrease in nitrogen (N) was observed. All the measured nutrients in shoots, except N, Mn, and Fe decreased above 0.33 mM, but calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) had little variation as Al varied. Data indicated that maximum net uptake for mineral nutrients, except Mn, occurred up to 0.33 mM Al. Translocation of phosphorus (P), K, Mn, and Zn decreased above 0.33 mM Al, N, and Ca decreased when any Al was added, and no clear trend was observed for Mg and Fe. Between the 0 and the 3.00 mM Al treatments, electrolytic conductance did not increased significantly indicating that the observed inhibitions of translocation from roots to shoots were not directly related to increasing membrane degradation.     

ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL COLONIZATION DOES NOT ALLEVIATE SODIUM CHLORIDE-SALINITY STRESS IN VINCA [CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS (L.) G. DON]

We conducted a study to determine if inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) would enhance the tolerance of vinca [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don] plants to sodium chloride (NaCl)-induced salinity in irrigation water. Vinca tolerated salinity levels up to 40 mM. Chlorophyll concentration, proline synthesis, and total antioxidant activity were increased with saline irrigation, while leaf potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and boron (B) content decreased, suggesting a detrimental salinity effect. Despite the limited effect of increasing salinity on N content, NaCl-stressed vinca plants showed a marked decrease in nitrate reductase activity, which was associated with decreased leaf K and Fe total content. Mycorrhizal inoculation resulted in reduced growth when compared to non-AMF plants, regardless of salinity level. The K/sodium (Na) ratio decreased dramatically with increasing salinity regardless of AMF treatment. Suggesting, that the AMF isolate was not able to selectively uptake K and Ca, and avoid uptake of Na.     

Diltiazem influence on mineral nutrient uptake by sorghum primary root tips

Seedling sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. cv GP10, SC283, SC574, and Funk G522DR] primary root tip (1‐cm) content of calcium (Ca), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), boron (B), manganese (Mn), and phosphorus (P) in response to a known Ca‐channel blocker (diltiazem, 0,0.1, 1, or 10 mM) was measured after a 1‐hr exposure to Hoagland and Arnon complete mineral nutrient solution. Diltiazem (10 mM) significantly decreased content of Ca, Mn, and Mg in all four cultivars, P, Zn, and Fe in three cultivars, Cu in two cultivars, and B content was not altered. Differences among cultivars was observed in ion contents by the diltiazem untreated controls for all elements. Multiple avenues of ion movement across the plasma membrane are evident. Genetically determined mechanisms and rates of activity between cultivars were demonstrated.     

PISTACHIO RESPONSES TO SALT STRESS AT VARIED LEVELS OF MAGNESIUM

Crop production in many parts of the world is increasingly affected by soil salinization, especially in the irrigated fields of arid and semi-arid regions. The effects of four magnesium levels [0, 0.5, 1, and 22 millliMolar (mM) magnesium as magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄.5H₂O)], and three salinity levels [0, 45 and 90 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)] on growth and the chemical composition of pistachio seedlings (Pistacia vera L.) cv. ‘Badami-e-Zarand’ was studied in sand culture under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was set up as a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. After 28 weeks the growth parameters of biomass, leaf number, leaf area and stem height were measured. The results demonstrated that salinity decreased biomass, leaf area and stem height; the application of 2 mM magnesium (Mg) significantly reduced biomass, leaf number, leaf area and stem height; salinity stress increased concentrations of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) in shoot as well as Na concentration in root; however, it decreased Mg and calcium (Ca) concentrations in shoot, as well as Mg, Ca, and K concentrations in root. The application of 2 mM Mg reduced K and Ca concentrations in shoot and Na and K concentrations in root.     

Genotipic responses of olive plants to sodium chloride

The effect of NaCl‐salinity on growth responses and tissue mineral content was investigated for two olive (Olea europaea L.) genotypes of different vigor, Leccino and Frantoio. Forty‐day‐old self‐rooted plants were grown for a 60‐day period in a sand culture system supplied with a 1/2 strength Hoagland solution with the addition of 0,12.5,25,50, and 100 mM NaCl. Plants were harvested at 12‐day intervals, and the dry weights of shoot, and principal and lateral roots were evaluated. Relative growth rate (RGR) was also estimated. At the same time, plant tissues were analysed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, and Cl content.

Growth inhibition by NaCl treatments was greater for Leccino than Frantoio plants. At the end of the experiment, 50 mM NaCl significantly reduced Leccino growth, while negative effects on Frantoio were detected only when using 100 mM NaCl. Leccino always accumulated more Na and Cl in the leaves than Frantoio. In a similar manner, Na/K ratio was always higher in the Leccino leaves compared to the Frantoio leaves. An inverse relationship between NaCl tolerance and vigor of the genotype emerged.     

Nitrogen rate and source affects leaf elemental concentration and plant growth in muscadine grapes

Leaf concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) in ‘Sterling’ muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia Michaux) grown for two years in sand culture were not influenced by different N‐fertilizer sources. Leaf zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were higher with ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃)than ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄]. Shoot growth was greatest with NH₄NO₃. Leaf Ca, Mg, Mn, and Cu content decreased and leaf N increased as N‐fertilizer rates were raised. Plant growth was positively correlated with leaf N, but was negatively correlated with leaf Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Mn content. Percent Mg in the leaves was reduced when N levels, regardless of N source, were raised from the low (1.8 mM) to the middle (5.4 mM) rate. High leaf‐N levels were correlated with lower Ca and Mg in the leaves, indicating a relationship between N fertilization and the late‐season Mg deficiency often observed in muscadine grapes.     

Fruit quality and partitioning of mineral elements in processing tomato in response to saline nutrients

A sand culture experiment was conducted to study the effect of saline water on the growth and fruit quality of processing tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) Seedlings of five tomato cultivars were transplanted in quartz‐sand pots in a greenhouse at the Agricultural Experiment Station of Sultan Qaboos University. There were four saline nutrient solutions and a control consisting of half‐strength Hoagland solution. Salinity treatments were: 50 raM NaCl + 3 mM K₂SO₄ (EC 6.75), 50 mM NaCl + 1.5 mM orthophosphoric acid (EC = 7.18), 50 mM NaCl + 1.5 mM orthophosphoric acid + 3 mM R₂SO₄ (EC 7.29), and 50 mM NaCL (EC = 5.6). Treatments were applied daily commencing two weeks after transplanting. Data were collected on growth, and fruit yield and quality. Partitioning of mineral elements was determined in the vegetative tissue. The results obtained clearly show that concentrations of total soluble solids were increased in fruits treated with saline nutrients. Dry matter content of fruits exposed to salinity were higher than those from the control plants. Fruit acidity was increased with salinity, possibly due to a lower water content and increased organic acid accumulation. In the saline treatments, sodium (Na) content was decreased when potassium (K) was applied with NaCl but Na was higher in stems followed by root and leaf tissues. The partitioning of K followed a trend opposite to that for Na but with higher content in leaves. A similar situation was observed for calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). Accumulation of phosphorus (P) was the lowest among all the ions. These results indicated that survival under saline conditions was accompanied by high ion accumulation. The study confirmed that saline nutrients are important for improving fruit quality of processing tomatoes.     

Calcium‐induced modification of aluminum toxicity in sorghum genotypes

Effects of calcium (1, 2 and 5 mM) and aluminum (0, 15 and 45 μM) on growth and internal nutrient concentrations were examined with 12 sorghum genotypes (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) in a nutrient solution experiment with a factorial design. At 1 (or 2) mM Ca the severity of root damage induced by Al well reflected the genotypical variation in growth response to Al toxicity. Severity of Al‐induced root damage slightly decreased with increasing Ca level. Moreover, Ca at 5 mM amplified the Mg deficiency induced by Al, as seen from both heavier deficiency symptoms and lower internal Mg concentrations. Under conditions of Al stress at a high Ca supply, induced Mg deficiency apparently predominated the genotypical differentiation in growth response to Al toxicity. An antagonism between Al‐ and Ca ions for uptake was hardly found with the sorghum genotypes. However, the genotypes differed in Ca efficiency, a characteristic which may be relevant in assessing their sensitivity to Mg deficiency.     

Effects of chromium stress on the subcellular distribution and chemical form of Ca,Mg, Fe,and Zn in two rice genotypes

A hydroponic experiment was carried out to study effects of chromium (Cr) stress on the subcellular distribution and chemical form of Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn in two rice genotypes differing in Cr accumulation. The results showed that Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn ions were mainly located in cell walls and vacuoles in roots. However, large amounts of metal ions were transferred from the vacuole to the nucleus and to other functional organelles in shoots. Chromium concentrations in the nutrient solution of 50 μM and above significantly decreased Ca concentrations in the chloroplast/trophoplast, the nucleus, and in mitochondria. It further increased Mg concentrations in the nucleus and in mitochondria, as well as Zn and Fe concentrations in the chloroplast/trophoplast. These Cr‐induced changes in ion concentrations were associated with a significant reduction in plant biomass. It is suggested that Cr stress interferes with the functions of mineral nutrients in rice plants, thus causing a serious inhibition of plant growth. The chemical forms of the four nutrients were determined by successive extraction. Except for Ca, which was mainly chelated with insoluble phosphate and oxalic acid, Mg, Zn, and Fe were extractable by 80% ethanol, d‐H₂O, and 1μM NaCl. The results indicated that these low–molecular weight compounds, such as organic acids and amino acids, may play an important role in deposition and translocation of Mg, Zn, and Fe in the xylem system of rice plants.     

Salicylic Acid–Induced Salinity Redressal in Hydroponically Grown Strawberry

The present study was conducted to evaluate shoot and root mineral composition of salt-stressed Selva strawberry under application timing of salicylic acid (SA). Treatments included plants sprayed with 0.5 or 1 mM SA, plants exposed to 40 mM sodium chloride (NaCl), and plants sprayed with 0.5 or 1 mM SA 1 week before, simultaneously, or after initiation of 40 mM salinity. Results indicated that under saline conditions, sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) contents increased along with decrease in nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in shoot and root of plants. In plants treated with SA at 1 mM concentration, 1 week before salinity application, root Mg and shoot Ca were greater in comparison to salt-stressed plants treated with the same SA concentration 1 week after their exposure to salt stress. Thus, earlier SA application appears to be a better strategy for optimized protection against deleterious influence of salinity.