Changes in micronutrients, dry weight and plant growth of soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) cultivars under salt stress

This study was carried out to determine the effects of salt stress on the growth, dry weights and micronutrient contents of soybean cultivars grown in green house conditions. Twelve soybean cultivars (Omaha, A-3127, Mancon, Stresland, LN-89-3264, NE-3297, Ap-2292, Althow, Irigious, S-4520, Amsoy-71 and Cisne) were exposed to salinity treatments (150 mM NaCl and Control). Shoot, leaf and root dry weights of all cultivars at 45-day-old plants were determined. Micronutrient contents (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) of leaves, stems and roots were also analyzed. Salinity stress negatively affected soybean cultivars and the extent of effects varied depending on the salt tolerance of the cultivars. Generally, salinity reduced the plant growth and dry weights. Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn concentrations were higher in roots compared with those in leaves and shoots in salt applied samples. It was determined that, micronutrient contents showed some variation in different organs of soybean cultivars as a result of salt application to growing environment. Iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) content increased in the samples with salt applications except in some cultivars. On the other hand, when mean data of cultivars were considered, zinc (Zn) content was not significantly affected by salt stress.