The Effect of Zinc on Growth and Shoot Concentrations of Sodium and Potassium in Pepper Plants under Salinity Stress

Authors : Hakan AKTAŞ, Kazım ABAK, Levent ÖZTÜRK

Pages : 407-412

View : 14 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2006-12-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The effect of increasing concentrations of zinc insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Zn); on NaCl toxicity was studied in pepper insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Capsicum annuum L. cv. Kahramanmaras-3); plants grown in a growth chamber under controlled conditions. Plants were grown in severely Zn-deficient soil with increasing Zn insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(0, 2, and 10 mg Zn kg-1 soil); and NaCl insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(0%, 0.5% and 1.5% NaCl in irrigation water); treatments. After 46 days of growth, the plants were harvested and the shoots were analyzed for dry matter production, concentrations of Zn, sodium insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Na);, potassium insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(K);, and phosphorous insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P);, and K/Na ratios. The results showed that Zn deficiency in soil significantly reduced shoot growth, particularly under the highest salt treatment. As expected, increasing the application of NaCl reduced shoot dry matter production; however, this decrease was greater in the 2 mg Zn kg-1 soil compared to the 10 mg Zn kg-1 soil. Increases in Zn application from 2 to 10 mg kg-1 soil reduced shoot concentration of Na and elevated K concentration. Consequently, K/Na ratios of plants were highest in the highest Zn application condition. The results of the present study indicated the importance of the Zn nutritional status of plants in improving salt stress tolerance. Possibly, by affecting the structural integrity and controlling the permeability of root cell membranes, adequate Zn nutrition reduces excess uptake of Na by roots in saline conditions. Adequate Zn nutrition is, therefore, important for the maintenance of good growth and yield under saline conditions.
Keywords : Capsicum annuum, salinity stress, zinc deficiency, membrane integrity