Effects of Sodium and Chloride Ions on Growth and Mineral Contents of Kiwifruit Plant

Abstract

In this study, effects of different Na/Cl ratios applied to soil on shoot growing, membrane permeability, relative leaf water, dry weights and mineraI composition (Na, Cl, N, P, K) in shoot, leaf and root of kiwifruit (A. Deliciosa var. Hayward) plant were investigated. Soils of two years old container plants in plastic plots were treated with 40 mM NaCl, and five Na⁺/Cl^- ratio applications (100/0,75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100). Shoot height, shoot, leaf, and root dry weights were reduced with Na⁺/Cl^- applications. Relative leaf water content of plants was higher for all NaCI treatments compared to the control. Membrane permeability was highest for 100/0 ratio but this was not significantly different from 40 mM NaCl and 75/25 ratio treatments. As expected, cr concentrations in plant organs (shoot, leaf and root) generally increased with increasing Cl^- application. Similar results were obtained for Na⁺ concentration in plant organs, which were increased with increasing Na⁺ application. In general, plant K concentration increased with decreasing Na⁺/Cl^- treatment. Even though not statistically different, while total nitrogen content of leaf was higher than other tissues, P concentration of root was higher than leaf and shoot. The P concentration in root was reduced for all treatments compared to the control treatment. Na and P accumulated in the root in accordance with applied Na/Cl. These results clearly show that specific ion ratio (Na/Cl) affects plant growth and mineral contents of kiwifruit plants.