Acta Botanica Croatica, Vol. 71 No. 1, 2012.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.2478/v10184-011-0061-6
Effect of supplemental Ca2+ on NaCl-stressed castor plants (Ricinus communis L.)
Seema V. Joshi
; Department of Biosciences, Saurashtra University, Rajkot-360005, India
Neha T. Patel
; Department of Biosciences, Saurashtra University, Rajkot-360005, India
Indu B. Pandey
; Department of Agronomy, Rajendra Agriculture University, Samastipur-848125, India
Amar Nath Pandey
; Department of Biosciences, Saurashtra University, Rajkot-360005, India
Abstract
Greenhouse experiments were conducted to assess the effects of supplemental Ca2+ in salinised soil on germination and plant growth response of castor plant (Ricinus communis L. Var. Avani-31, Euphorbiaceae). NaCl amounting to 390 g was thoroughly mixed with soil of seven lots, of 100 kg each, to give electrical conductivity of 4.1 dS m–1. Further, Ca(NO3)2 × 4H20 to the quantity of 97.5, 195, 292.5, 390, 487.5, and 585 g was separately mixed with soil of six lots to give 1:0.25, 1:0.50, 1:0.75, 1:1, 1:1.25, and 1:1.50 Na+/Ca2+ ratios, respectively. The soil of the seventh lot contained only NaCl and its Na+/Ca2+ ratio was 1:0. Soil without addition of NaCl and Ca (NO3)2 × 4H20 served as control, with a 0:0 Na+/Ca2+ ratio. Salinity significantly retarded seed germination and plant growth, but the deleterious effects of NaCl on seed germination were ameliorated and plant growth was restored with Ca2+ supply at the critical level (1:0.25 Na+/Ca2+ ratio) to salinised soil. Supply of Ca2+ above the critical level further retarded seed germination and plant growth due to the increased soil salinity. Salt stress reduced N, P, K+ and Ca2+ content in plant tissues, but these nutrients were restored by addition of Ca2+ at the critical level to saline soil. In contrast, Na+ content in plant tissues significantly increased in response to salinity, but significantly decreased with increasing Ca2+ supply to saline soil. The results are discussed in terms of the beneficial effects of Ca2+ supply on the plant growth of Ricinus communis grown under saline conditions.
Keywords
Na+/Ca2+ ratio; Ricinus communis; seedling growth; salt tolerance; salt stress
Hrčak ID:
79021
URI
Publication date:
27.3.2012.
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