Alleviation of salt stress by increasing potassium sulphate doses in four medicinal and aromatic plants

Abstract

In this study, the effects of potassium doses (control, 150, 300 and 450 mg K2SO4 kg−1) and salt stress (control, 100 mM NaCl) on the yield and some element content of four medicinal and aromatic (Coriandrum sativum, Anethum graveolens, Ocimum basilicum and Foeniculum vulgare) plants were investigated in climate chamber. Both salinity and K fertiliser levels affected the fresh and dry weight of all evaluated plants. Anethum graveolens, Ocimum basilicum species are more sensitive to salinity, particularly at the vegetative productive stages. The highest fresh and dry weights of leaves, stems, roots and herb in Coriandrum sativum and Foeniculum vulgare species was observed in 300 mg kg−1 fertiliser applications. In general, there was a relatively consistent and positive correlation between root element content and aerial parts element content. The result of the present study showed that NaCl treatment caused an increase in Na+ concentration, and a decrease in K+ and Ca+2 concentration in Coriandrum sativum, Anethum graveolens, Ocimum basilicum and Foeniculum vulgare. There was an interaction between K2SO4 application and salinity effects on Na+ concentration in the all evaluated plants. Given the experimental results, especially Foeniculum vulgare and Coriandrum sativum species were the most resistant to salt stress.

Keywords

• salinity
• potassium
• medicinal and aromatic plants
• nutrients