Evaluation of Salinity Effects on Ionic Balance and Compatible Solute Contents in Nine Grape (Vitis L.) Genotypes

Abstract

The salinity tolerance of nine grape genotypes was studied. Salinity was applied as nutrient solutions containing 0, 25, 50, and 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) for two weeks. Growth was significantly reduced by salinity, whereas chloride (Cl⁻) and sodium (Na⁺) contents increased. Sodium ion accumulation exceeded that of Cl⁻ in all treatments. Shirazi and H₆ had higher and lower Cl⁻ concentrations in their lamina than others. There were significant positive correlations (P < 0.01) between Cl⁻ and Na⁺ and negative correlation between Na⁺ and potassium (K⁺) in roots and laminas of all genotypes. Soluble sugars, proline, and glycine betaine contents increased in laminas of all of the genotypes with moderate salinity. There were positive correlations (P < 0.01) between lamina and root Na⁺ and Cl⁻ contents and compatible solutes in all genotypes. Overall results revealed that unlike Shirazi with higher Na⁺ and Cl⁻ accumulation in shoot, H₆ showed a higher capacity to restrict Na⁺ and Cl⁻ transport to shoot.

Keywords:

• salt
• grapevine
• chloride
• tolerance
• genotype
• osmolytes

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank Urmia Agricultural Research Center (Kahriz vineyard, Urmia, Iran) for providing grapevine cuttings.