Assessing Tolerance to Sodium Chloride Salinity in Fourteen Floriculture Species

Abstract

<jats:p>The use of saline irrigation water may be inevitable in the future since the freshwater supply is decreasing over time. In some regions of the United States, producers of both ornamental and agronomic crops are already facing a limited supply of high-quality water. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the salt tolerance of commonly used greenhouse bedding plants to minimize potential salt damage before use of nonpotable water sources is mandated. Research screening several bedding plants has not taken place for more than two decades. Therefore, we undertook experiments to screen popular bedding plants for salt tolerance during greenhouse production. Transplants were exposed to 0 (control), 20, 40, 60, or 80 m<jats:sc>m</jats:sc> sodium chloride (NaCl) in the irrigation water for 5 weeks resulting in average substrate pour-thru electrical conductivity (EC) values of 4.0 (control), 7.0, 9.8, 12.1, or 14.2 dS·m<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>, respectively. Pansy (<jats:italic>Viola tricolor</jats:italic>) and zinnia (<jats:italic>Zinnia angustifolia)</jats:italic>, the most sensitive species examined, exhibited 100% mortality when exposed to an EC of 14.2 dS·m<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>. The least affected species for dry weight (DW) was snapdragon (<jats:italic>Antirrhinum majus</jats:italic>) with a 54% reduction as EC increased from 4.0 to 14.2 dS·m<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>. Only fuchsia (<jats:italic>Fuchsia hybrida</jats:italic>) and snapdragon were unaffected by an EC of 7.0 dS·m<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup>, whereas at 9.8 dS·m<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> all of the species had a significantly reduced DW as compared with control plants. Verbena (<jats:italic>Verbena</jats:italic> ×<jats:italic>hybrida</jats:italic>), petunia (<jats:italic>Petunia</jats:italic> ×<jats:italic>hybrida</jats:italic>), coleus (<jats:italic>Solenostemon scutellarioides</jats:italic>), and begonia (<jats:italic>Begonia hiemalis</jats:italic>) were the only species that did not undergo a significant height reduction in comparing 9.8 dS·m<jats:sup>−1</jats:sup> to control. A classification of the 14 species is created here on the basis of plant DW to provide guidance as to which species could be irrigated with more saline water while not compromising plant growth and quality.</jats:p>

Physiochemical properties of petunia edible flowers grown under saline conditions and their postharvest performance under modified atmosphere packaging and ethanol application

“…In the present study, the reduction of dry weight was less, at 18% on average, possibly as a result of the short‐term saline stress exposure, as well as the lower EC, occurring in the present study. Petunia heights remained unaffected among treatments, being in agreement with previous reports that categorized the petunia plant as a quite tolerant species with respect to salinity …”

“…Balasundram et al 42 reported that plants cope with stress by stimulating the formation of polyphenols and antioxidant activities. According to Villarino and Mattson,43 petunia is classified as the 'most tolerant' plant among the 14 studied bending plant species, experiencing a dry weight reduction of between 50% and 70% when plants are subjected to a salinity of EC 14.2 mS cm −1 compared to the control of EC 4.0 mS cm −1 . 43 In the present study, the reduction of dry weight was less, at 18% on average, possibly as a result of the short-term saline stress exposure, as well as the lower EC, occurring in the present study.…”

“…According to Villarino and Mattson,43 petunia is classified as the 'most tolerant' plant among the 14 studied bending plant species, experiencing a dry weight reduction of between 50% and 70% when plants are subjected to a salinity of EC 14.2 mS cm −1 compared to the control of EC 4.0 mS cm −1 . 43 In the present study, the reduction of dry weight was less, at 18% on average, possibly as a result of the short-term saline stress exposure, as well as the lower EC, occurring in the present study. Petunia heights remained unaffected among treatments, being in agreement with previous reports that categorized the petunia plant as a quite tolerant species with respect to salinity.…”

“…Petunia heights remained unaffected among treatments, being in agreement with previous reports that categorized the petunia plant as a quite tolerant species with respect to salinity. 43 The nutritive value of petunia flowers was reduced when plants were subjected to a salinity of 100 mmol L -1 NaCl, because the flower content of N, K and Ca decreased. At low saline levels (i.e.…”

Effects of Hydrogel on Growth and Visual Damage of Ornamental Salvia Species Exposed to Salinity

“…and Salvia officinalis L., respectively, are moderately tolerant to salinity, whereby neither their overall appearance nor their decorativeness is significantly affected by salt levels. Salvia splendens, on the other hand, was found to be moderately sensitive [21].…”