Articles
Importance of chemical sources in salt-induced salinity on plant growth characteristics in pepper
Article number
1315_63
Pages
425 – 432
Language
English
Abstract
Salinity is one of the top environmental stresses that restrain plant cultivation and production.
Many plant growth and quality factors are negatively affected by soil or water salinity.
In the present study, the effects of salinity induced by different chemical salts through nutrient solution were evaluated on the growth and productivity of pepper plants (Capsicum annuum var. annuum) under hydroponic and greenhouse conditions.
Pepper seedlings after the 4-leaf stage were transferred to hydroponic medium consisting of 70:30 cocopeat to perlite ratio and received different levels of electrical conductivity (EC) of Hoagland nutrient solution.
The following ECs of 1.8 (as control and the Hoagland general EC), 5, and 8 were applied.
Various chemical salts were used to induce the two electrical conductivity, including NaCl, KCl, K2SO4, and KNO3-Ca(NO3)2. The results showed that pepper growth was adversely affected by the two ECs of 5 and 8 exerted by different chemical salts.
In EC of 5, NaCl had the most negative effects on growth parameters of plant height, chlorophyll index, number of leaves and lateral shoots, leaf area, and nutrient profile of leaves.
Potassium chloride had exerted the least growth restriction.
However, when a mixture of KNO3 and CaNO3 was used to create EC of 5, many plant growth parameters were improved compared to control plants (Hoagland solution). In EC of 8, all treatments reduced plant growth parameters compared to control, and the extent of growth reduction was significantly stronger in NaCl and KCl compared to other treatments.
Application of KNO3-Ca(NO3)2 to create EC of 8 resulted in better plant growth after control.
In contrast to EC of 5, K2SO4 in EC of 8 recorded higher growth compared to KCl.
The results indicate that salinity tolerance of plants including pepper is a complex issue and depends at least to the composition of various salts and their ratio in root medium.
Many plant growth and quality factors are negatively affected by soil or water salinity.
In the present study, the effects of salinity induced by different chemical salts through nutrient solution were evaluated on the growth and productivity of pepper plants (Capsicum annuum var. annuum) under hydroponic and greenhouse conditions.
Pepper seedlings after the 4-leaf stage were transferred to hydroponic medium consisting of 70:30 cocopeat to perlite ratio and received different levels of electrical conductivity (EC) of Hoagland nutrient solution.
The following ECs of 1.8 (as control and the Hoagland general EC), 5, and 8 were applied.
Various chemical salts were used to induce the two electrical conductivity, including NaCl, KCl, K2SO4, and KNO3-Ca(NO3)2. The results showed that pepper growth was adversely affected by the two ECs of 5 and 8 exerted by different chemical salts.
In EC of 5, NaCl had the most negative effects on growth parameters of plant height, chlorophyll index, number of leaves and lateral shoots, leaf area, and nutrient profile of leaves.
Potassium chloride had exerted the least growth restriction.
However, when a mixture of KNO3 and CaNO3 was used to create EC of 5, many plant growth parameters were improved compared to control plants (Hoagland solution). In EC of 8, all treatments reduced plant growth parameters compared to control, and the extent of growth reduction was significantly stronger in NaCl and KCl compared to other treatments.
Application of KNO3-Ca(NO3)2 to create EC of 8 resulted in better plant growth after control.
In contrast to EC of 5, K2SO4 in EC of 8 recorded higher growth compared to KCl.
The results indicate that salinity tolerance of plants including pepper is a complex issue and depends at least to the composition of various salts and their ratio in root medium.
Publication
Authors
M. Ahmadi, M.K. Souri
Keywords
Capsicum annuum, electric conductivity, environment, plant growth
Groups involved
- Division Temperate Tree Fruits
- Division Vine and Berry Fruits
- Division Tropical and Subtropical Fruit and Nuts
- Division Ornamental Plants
- Division Plant-Environment Interactions in Field Systems
- Division Postharvest and Quality Assurance
- Division Horticulture for Development
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Plant Genetic Resources, Breeding and Biotechnology
- Commission Cultivar Registration
- Division Horticulture for Human Health
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
- Commission Banana
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Division Temperate Tree Nuts
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
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