Articles
Exploring the response of olive genotypes to salinity and drought stresses
Article number
1446_30
Pages
219 – 228
Language
English
Abstract
Abiotic stresses of salinity and long-term droughts are becoming widespread problems in modern orchards with dense structures where the evapotranspiration demand is high and low-quality water is used for irrigation in combination with water-soluble fertilizers.
The aim of the research was to determine the impact of abiotic stresses of salinity and drought on four wild genotypes and three well-known olive cultivars, ‘Oblica’, ‘Leccino’ and ‘Koroneiki’, by monitoring the morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes caused by the stress.
To induce salinity, coarse sea salt was applied to achieve a treatment of 150 mM L‑1 NaCl, while sugar alcohol mannitol was used to initiate a drought treatment.
Analysis of samples and identification of alleles of 12 SSR loci confirmed the richness of the germplasm of Croatian autochthonous wild and cultivated olives.
Shoot length and leaf surface area proved to be significant morphometric indicators of stress levels.
The cultivar ‘Oblica’ accumulated high concentrations of salt ions in its leaves.
We assume that these ions are crucial in maintaining osmotic pressure in the cells, as other results did not indicate any severe signs of stress.
However, genotypes that are susceptible to high salinity levels require a longer time to stabilize their Na+ and Cl– levels compared to those that are resistant.
According to results, modulation of SOD enzyme activity can serve as an indicator of abiotic stress caused by salinity and drought.
The wild olive genotypes showed satisfactory results in morphometric and biochemical analyses as well in controling the content of Na+ and Cl– by distributing these ions in the root system.
These promising findings warrant further research on genotypic characterization; however, the successful transfer of these desirable traits to cultivated plants is not guaranteed.
The aim of the research was to determine the impact of abiotic stresses of salinity and drought on four wild genotypes and three well-known olive cultivars, ‘Oblica’, ‘Leccino’ and ‘Koroneiki’, by monitoring the morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes caused by the stress.
To induce salinity, coarse sea salt was applied to achieve a treatment of 150 mM L‑1 NaCl, while sugar alcohol mannitol was used to initiate a drought treatment.
Analysis of samples and identification of alleles of 12 SSR loci confirmed the richness of the germplasm of Croatian autochthonous wild and cultivated olives.
Shoot length and leaf surface area proved to be significant morphometric indicators of stress levels.
The cultivar ‘Oblica’ accumulated high concentrations of salt ions in its leaves.
We assume that these ions are crucial in maintaining osmotic pressure in the cells, as other results did not indicate any severe signs of stress.
However, genotypes that are susceptible to high salinity levels require a longer time to stabilize their Na+ and Cl– levels compared to those that are resistant.
According to results, modulation of SOD enzyme activity can serve as an indicator of abiotic stress caused by salinity and drought.
The wild olive genotypes showed satisfactory results in morphometric and biochemical analyses as well in controling the content of Na+ and Cl– by distributing these ions in the root system.
These promising findings warrant further research on genotypic characterization; however, the successful transfer of these desirable traits to cultivated plants is not guaranteed.
Publication
Authors
J. Tadić, G. Dumičić, M. Verić Bratinčević, S. Vitko, M. Radunić, S. Perica, Z. Liber, S. Radić Brkanac
Keywords
resistance, abiotic, SSR, SOD enzyme acitivity, wild olive genotypes
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