Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Lavandula angustifolia to Salinity Under Mineral Foliar Application

Abstract

Saline water has been proposed as a solution to partially cover plant water demands due to scarcity of irrigation water in hot arid areas. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) plants were grown hydroponically under salinity (0–25–50–100 mM NaCl). The overcome of salinity stress was examined by K, Zn, and Si foliar application for the plant physiological and biochemical characteristics. The present study indicated that high (100 mM NaCl) salinity decreased plant growth, content of phenolics and antioxidant status and essential oil (EO) yield, while low-moderate salinity levels maintained the volatile oil profile in lavender. The integrated foliar application of K and Zn lighten the presumable detrimental effects of salinity in terms of fresh biomass, antioxidant capacity, and EO yield. Moderate salinity stress along with balanced concentration of K though foliar application changed the primary metabolites pathways in favor of major volatile oil constituents biosynthesis and therefore lavender plant has the potential for cultivation under prevalent semi-saline conditions. Zn and Si application, had lesser effects on the content of EO constituents, even though altered salinity induced changings. Our results have demonstrated that lavender growth/development and EO production may be affected by saline levels, whereas mechanisms for alteration of induced stress are of great significance considering the importance of the oil composition, as well.

Interactive effects of salinity and silicon application on Solanum lycopersicum growth, physiology and shelf‐life of fruit produced hydroponically

“…This is consistent with the findings of Chrysargyris et al . who stated that high salinity increases Zn concentration in plant tissues . Finally, Mn concentrations did not differ regardless of Si treatment or salinity level.…”

“…This is consistent with the findings of Chrysargyris et al who stated that high salinity increases Zn concentration in plant tissues. 19 Finally, Mn concentrations did not differ regardless of Si treatment or salinity level. This is contradictive to the findings of Turan et al who stated that salinity increased Mn concentration in shoot and root tissues of maize.…”

“…In contrast to our study, an increase in total phenols content has been reported for tomato fruit when grown under saline conditions, while Chrysargyris et al . recorded an increase of total phenols in lavender plants when subjected at salinity levels higher than 50 mmol L −1 NaCl or at non‐saline conditions and with Si supplemenation . Similarly to our study, Serio et al .…”

“…Plant photosynthetic rate is also negatively affected by high salinity, which could change positively or negatively the protein content, thus affecting quality and inducing several plant secondary metabolism processes and antioxidant mechanisms to resist the impacts of salinity . Several means for the alleviation of negative impacts of salinity have been suggested, including the exogenous application of cations, either through the rooting system or via foliar applications …”

“…17,18 Several means for the alleviation of negative impacts of salinity have been suggested, including the exogenous application of cations, either through the rooting system or via foliar applications. [19][20][21][22] Silicon (Si) application has been demonstrated as a promising cultivation practice that can help in alleviating the impacts of salinity at pre-and postharvest stage. 23 Several studies have shown that Si is an element that reduces the effect of abiotic stressors including salinity, drought and metal toxicity.…”