Effect of low concentrations of NaCl on accumulation and distribution of Na, K, Ca and their ratios in different plant species

Abstract

Uneven distribution of precipitations during vegetative season, periods of drought, inappropriate quality of irrigation waters and particularities of soil composition are the main factors leading to salinization of agricultural soils. The area of salt-affected soils is increasing worldwide, leading to yield losses and deterioration of plant-derived food and feed. To assess the extent to which the steady presence of sodium chloride in relatively low concentrations (0.1-1.2 g L-1) affects plants, an experiment was set in semi-controlled conditions of a greenhouse. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L., Asteraceae), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L., Apiaceae) and oilseed rape (Brassica napus L., Brassicaceae) were grown in water cultures, on halfstrength Hoagland’s nutrient solution, to which NaCl was added 2 weeks after planting. Plant growth, ash content, accumulation and distribution of Na in relation to K and Ca were analyzed 3 weeks following the beginning of the treatment.