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Effects of supplementary potassium nitrate on growth and gas-exchange characteristics of salt-stressed citrus seedlings

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Photosynthetica

Abstract

We investigated the effects of supplementary KNO3 and NaCl on one-year-old, potted Valencia orange (Citrus sinensis) scions grafted on Iranian mandarin Bakraii [Citrus reticulate × Citrus limetta] (Valencia/Bakraii) and Carrizo citrange [C. sinensis × Poncirus trifoliata] (Valencia/Carrizo) rootstocks. After watering plants for 60 days with 50 mM NaCl, the lowest reduction in dry mass, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll (Chl) content was found in Valencia/Bakraii. Bakraii accumulated more Cl− and Na+ in roots and transferred less to Valencia leaves compared with Carrizo rootstock. Moreover, higher net photosynthetic rate was found in Valencia/Bakraii than those on Carrizo rootstock. NaCl caused a decrease in the maximal efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm) and effective quantum yield (ΦPSII) but elevated coefficient of nonphotochemical quenching. Salinity reduced Ca2+, Mg2+, and total N contents, and increased Na+/K+ ratio in leaves and roots of both grafting combinations. Salinity increased K+ and proline content in leaves and decreased K+ concentrations in roots of both grafting combinations. In salinized plants, nitrate supplementation (10 mM KNO3) reduced leaf abscission, Cl−, Na+, Na+/K+, and Ca2+ concentrations in leaves and roots of both combinations. K+ and N concentrations and proline increased in leaves of the nitrate-supplemented salinized plants. Supplementary nitrate increased leaf number and area, stem elongation, Chl content, Fv/Fm, and ΦPSII and stimulated photosynthetic activity. Thus, nitrate ameliorated the deleterious effects of NaCl stress and stimulated the plant metabolism and growth. It can be used as a vital treatment under such condition.

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Abbreviations

C a :

atmospheric CO2 concentration

Chl:

chlorophyll

DM:

dry mass

FM:

fresh mass

F0 :

minimal fluorescence yield of the dark-adapted state

Fm :

maximal fluorescence yield of the dark-adapted state

Fm′:

maximal fluorescence of the light-adapted state

Fs :

steady-state fluorescence

Fv/Fm :

maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII

g s :

stomatal conductance

NPQ:

nonphotochemical quenching

P N :

net photosynthetic rate

S:

NaCl salinity stress

SN:

NaCl + KNO3

ΦPSII :

effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan PO Box 8415683111, Isfahan, Iran

    D. Khoshbakht & B. Baninasab

  2. Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, Azad University, Makoo, Iran

    A. Ghorbani

  3. Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, University of Urmia, West Azarbaijan, Iran

    L. A. Naseri

  4. Department of Horticultural Science, College of Agriculture, Azad University, Garmsar, Iran

    M. Mirzaei

Authors
  1. D. Khoshbakht
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  2. A. Ghorbani
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  3. B. Baninasab
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  4. L. A. Naseri
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  5. M. Mirzaei
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Correspondence to D. Khoshbakht.

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Acknowledgements: We would like to thank to the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, for financial support of the research.

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Khoshbakht, D., Ghorbani, A., Baninasab, B. et al. Effects of supplementary potassium nitrate on growth and gas-exchange characteristics of salt-stressed citrus seedlings. Photosynthetica 52, 589–596 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-014-0068-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-014-0068-z

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