Effect of Salinization of Soil on Growth and Nutrient Accumulation in Seedlings ofProsopis cineraria

Abstract

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to assess the effects of salinization of soil on emergence, seedling growth, and mineral accumulation of Prosopis cineraria (Linn.) Druce (Mimosaceae). A mixture of chlorides and sulfates of sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) was added to the soil and salinity was maintained at 5.1, 7.2, 9.3, 11.5, and 13.3 dS m −1 . A negative relationship between seedling emergence and salt concentration was obtained. Seedlings did not emerge when soil salinity exceeded 11.5 dS m −1 . Results suggested that this tree species is salt tolerant at seed germination and seedling stages. Elongation of stem and root was retarded by increasing salt stress. Young roots and stem were most tolerant to salt stress, followed by old roots and leaves. Leaf tissue exhibited maximum reduction in dry-mass production in response to increasing salt stress. However, production of young roots and death of old roots were found to be continuous and plants apparently use this process as an avoidance mechanism to remove excess ions and delay onset of ion accumulation in this tissue. Plants accumulated Na in roots and were able to regulate transfer of Na ions to leaves. Stem tissues were a barrier for translocation of Na from root to leaf. Moreover, K decreased in root tissues with increased salinization. Nitrogen (N) content significantly (P < 0.01) decreased in all tissues (leaf, stem, and root) in response to low water treatment and salinization of soil. Phosphorus (P) content significantly (P < 0.01) decreased while Ca increased in leaves as soil salinity increased. Changes in elements-accumulation patterns and the possible mechanisms for avoidance of Na toxicity in tissues and organism level are discussed.

Inducing salt tolerance in sweet corn by magnetic priming

“…A recent report by Lin et al (2011) confirms this conclusion. Ramoliya et al (2006) stated that salinity suppresses shoot growth more than root growth. Similar results are evident in Ashraf and Rauf (2001) research on sweet corn.…”

Prosopis tamarugo Phil.: a native tree from the Atacama Desert groundwater table depth thresholds for conservation

“…tamarugo is a halophyte species (Mooney et al 1980); the salt tolerance mechanisms of P. tamarugo have not been studied directly. Studies on other Prosopis species conducted by Kahn (1987) and Reinoso et al (2004) in P. strombulifera and Ramoliya et al (2006) in P. cinerea indicate that Na + was accumulated by the plants in the roots. On the other hand, roots exposed to higher salinity presented higher renewal rates in P. strombulifera, suggesting root absorption as desalting mechanism (Ramoliya et al 2006).…”

“…Studies on other Prosopis species conducted by Kahn (1987) and Reinoso et al (2004) in P. strombulifera and Ramoliya et al (2006) in P. cinerea indicate that Na + was accumulated by the plants in the roots. On the other hand, roots exposed to higher salinity presented higher renewal rates in P. strombulifera, suggesting root absorption as desalting mechanism (Ramoliya et al 2006). Like these members of the Prosopis gender, P. tamarugo would present a Na + exclusion/accumulation mechanism at root level and the capacity to undergo osmotic adjustment to endure soil Ψ reduction produced by the osmotic activity of salts in the soil solution (Acevedo et al 2007).…”

Improving salinity tolerance of Acacia saligna (Labill.) plant by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Rhizobium inoculation

“…The Ca concentration which acts as a second messenger is also increased to transduce signals, while phosphate ions precipitate with Ca , Mg and Zn ions in salt stressed soils and become unavailable to plants. Also, salinity interferes with nitrogen (N) acquisition and utilization by influencing different stages of N metabolism, such as, nitrate (NO 3 ) uptake and reduction, and protein synthesis (Canrell and Linderman, 2001;Ramoliya et al, 2006;Abdel Latefa and Chaoxing, 2011).…”