Growth, water status and nutrient accumulation of seedlings of Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch in response to soil salinity

Abstract

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to assess the effects of soil salinity on emergence, growth, water status, proline content and mineral accumulation of seedlings of Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch (Ulmaceae). 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. 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 soil salinity. There were no effective mechanisms to control net uptake of Na transport to shoot tissue. Potassium content increased in leaves to avoid Na toxicity to this tissue. Nitrogen content significantly increased in tissues in response to salinity. Phosphorus, calcium and magnesium content in tissues significantly decreased as salinity increased. Changes in tissues and whole-plant accumulation patterns of other nutrients, as well as possible mechanisms to avoid Na toxicity in this species in response to salinity, are discussed.

Keywords

• soil salinity
• seedling growth
• proline content
• water potential
• macro- and micro-nutrients
• salt tolerance