Georgios Psarras

Response of Two Olive Cultivars to Salt Stress and Potassium Supplement

ABSTRACT The effects of saline water containing 0, 50, 100, and 150 mM sodium chloride (NaCl), and 100 mM NaCl + 100 mM potassium (K) on photosynthesis, water relations, and ion and carbohydrate content of olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars ‘Koroneiki’ and ‘Mastoidis’ were studied on five-year-old trees. Salinity increased sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) in tissues of both cultivars, but more so in ‘Koroneiki’ than in ‘Mastoidis.’ Salt-toxicity symptoms were observed at 100 and 150 mM, but not in plants receiving extra K. In salt-stressed plants, leaf water potential declined, whereas turgor potential remained positive due to a rapid decrease in osmotic potential. Salinity increased mannitol content up to 41.3% in ‘Mastoidis’ and 15.8% in ‘Koroneiki’, but reduced starch content in leaves. Photosynthetic rates fell significantly with increasing salinity in both cultivars, but more so in ‘Koroneiki’ than in ‘Mastoidis’. Potassium supplements reduced the concentration of Na+ and increased the concentrations of K+ in leaves, but decreased photosynthesis.

Response of greenhouse tomato to salt stress and K+ supplement

Abstract The effect of NaCl salinity and potassium supplement on growth, tissue ion concentration, photosynthesis, yield and fruit quality characteristics of tomato plants was studied. Tomato plants, hyb. Belladonna, were grown in 8.5 l pots, filled with 1:3 sand:perlite mixture and irrigated with a half-strength Hoagland solution through a closed hydroponic system. Six irrigation treatments were applied, including combinations of 3 salinity (0, 35 and 70 mM NaCl) and two potassium levels (K1: 200 ppm and K2: 400 ppm) in the nutrient solution. Salinity reduced photosynthesis resulting in reduced plant height and dry weight. Yield was reduced by 25% and 69% at 35 and 70 mM, respectively, as compared to control plants (0 mM NaCl). Both total soluble solids and titratable acidity of the fruit increased with increasing salinity and K levels. The application of high potassium level (K2) reduced the concentration of Na and increased that of K in the leaves and roots of the plants, as compared to K1 treatment. Toxicity symptoms were mostly observed in the leaves of 70K1 plants, while no visual symptoms of toxicity were observed in 70K2 treatment. Despite the positive effects of potassium supplement in reducing Na concentration and the absence of toxicity symptoms in the leaves, plant growth was not improved, while leaf photosynthesis was reduced. Furthermore, no positive effects in the percentage of marketable fruit, mean fruit weight and yield were observed in the plants receiving extra K.