Responses of squash to salinity, waterlogging, and subsequent drainage: II. Root and shoot growth

Abstract

The responses of root and shoot growth to concurrent salinity and waterlogging, and subsequent drainage of summer squash (Cucurbita pepo) were studied in a greenhouse experiment. Plants were well watered or flooded with full‐strength Hoagland solution containing 100 mol/m³ sodium chloride (NaCl) or no NaCl for 14 d. Waterlogged plants were then transferred to drained conditions for 7 d of recovery, while salinized plants were continuously salinized until 21 d. Waterlogging led to greater reductions in root and shoot growth, and fruit yield than did salinity. Waterlogging stimulated production of adventitious roots; however, salinity suppressed this enhancement effect. A combination of waterlogging and salinity exacerbated the adverse effects of each factor alone on root and shoot growth. Seven days after termination of waterlogging, a full recovery occurred for number and length of adventitious roots, number of lateral roots, and root dry weight for waterlogged plants under non‐saline conditions, while waterlogged plants under saline conditions were unable to resume growth.

Notes

Corresponding author.