PJB-2017-651
SALINITY TOLERANCE THRESHOLD OF BERSEEM CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM ALEXANDRINUM) AT DIFFERENT GROWTH STAGES
ABDOLRASOL BASIRAT
Abstract
Most crops are sensitive to salt stress, however, this sensitivity is varied in different growth stages. Therefore, in this study the salt stress threshold at different growth was examined for berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). The treatments included five saline irrigation level consisted of 0.62 (tapwater as control), 3, 6, 9 and 12 dS m-1and three stage of salinity applying consisted of 2-leaf, 6-leaf and flowering. Growth parameters, ions accumulation and oxidative damage of berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) plants were evaluated. The results showed that salt stress depend to level and stage decreased plant height, shoot dry weight, root length, root dry weight and potassium concentration of shoot and root. On the other hand, sodium concentration and antioxidant enzymes activities were enhanced as affected by salinity. Higher levels of salinity had more negative effect on growth parameters and biochemical attributes. Salt stress imposed at early growth also more severe affect plant growth. It was reflected in threshold analysis, where tolerance threshold (50% reduction based on Van-Genuchtan and Hoffman equation) of berseem clover were 6.54, 7.99 and 10.00dS m-1 at 2-leaf, 6-leaf and flowering, respectively. However, when salt stress imposed at 2-leaf stage, plants could recovered their changes in ions accumulation and antioxidant enzymes and almost became similar to non-stressed plants. Overall, it was revealed that berseem clover is a most sensitive plant at early growth and is tolerance in later growth.
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