Solute adjustment to salinity and calcium supply in cultivated and wild barley

Abstract

Ion relations, water content, leaf water potential, and osmotic adjustment were determined for cultivated barley (cv Harrington) and wild barley grown under mixed sulphate (SO₄) salts with varied calcium (Ca) supply using a hydroponic system. Salinity induced significant increases of leaf, stem and root sodium (Na) concentrations in both species. Salt‐stressed wild barley roots accumulated more Na than shoots, and transport of Na from roots to shoots was low compared to Harrington. Cultivated barley had lower Ca concentrations than wild barley, especially in the low Ca salt treatment. Although potassium (K/Na) and Ca/Na ratios were higher in control wild barley plants than in Harrington, they declined under salt stress, irrespective of Ca supply. Major osmotica in wild barley leaves were K, sugars, organic acids, and quaternary ammonium compounds, while in Harrington they were cations, including Na, K and Mg, and anions such as phosphate (PO₄) and SO₄. Wild barley maintained better water status than Harrington under low Ca salt treatment. Supplemental Ca improved water status more in Harrington than in wild barley. Lack of osmotic adjustment to salinity in wild barley apparently resulted from its ion exclusion. Low Ca salt treatment caused Ca deficiency, Na toxicity, and loss of turgor in Harrington. In the high Ca salt treatment, Harrington had improved water and ion relations, as well as positive turgor.

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