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Influence of Salinity on Fe, Mn, and Zn Uptake by Plants 1
Author(s) -
Mass E. V.,
Ogata Gen,
Garber M. J.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1972.00021962006400060026x
Subject(s) - cucurbita pepo , squash , salinity , lycopersicon , manganese , chemistry , horticulture , sodium , micronutrient , agronomy , botany , biology , ecology , organic chemistry
Abstract This investigation was conducted to determine the influence of salinity on the uptake of Fe, Mn, and Zn by plants during the period of rapid vegetative growth. Relatively few data are available on the micronutrient status of salt‐stunted plants. Tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. ‘Heinz 1350’), soybean ( Glycine max L. ‘Kanrich’), and squash ( Cucurbita pepo ‘Golden Summer Crookneck’) were grown in the greenhouse in half‐strength Hoagland‘s solution salinized with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 meq NaCl/liter. Concentrations of Fe and Zn increased in the roots and tops of each species with increasing ambient levels of NaCl. Manganese concentrations increased in tomato and soybean tops but decreased in squash tops. Concentrations of Mn in the roots of tomato and squash were reduced at all salt levels, but they increased in all but the 100 meq/liter treatment in soybean. The changes in contents as a function of salinity were in the order of twofold or less and all were significant at the 5% level or better. Although the vegetative growth of the plant tops was depressed 45% or more by the highest saline treatment, the concentrations of these micronutrients in the tissue remained within the physiological limits necessary for normal plant growth. The influence of NaCl on the contents of Ca, Mg, K, Na, and Cl in the plant tops was comparable to that found in other investigations of salinity effects on plant mineral composition.