Uptake and distribution of chloride, sodium and potassium ions and growth of salt-treated pistachio plants

Abstract

Plant growth rates and rates of uptake and root to shoot transport of chloride and sodium were compared between seedlings of the rootstock Pistacia atlantica Desf. and a scion cultivar P. Vera L. cv. Kerman treated with 30 mM NaCl for 63 days. Uptake and distribution of chloride, sodium and potassium ions were then investigated in P. atlantica and in another rootstock P. terebinthus L. subjected to periods of increasing salinity, commencing with 30 mM chloride and 18 mM sodium, and then increasing sequentially by these amounts every 3 weeks to reach a maximum of 150 mM chloride and 90 mM sodium. Shoot growth rates of P. Vera and P. atlantica were not affected by treatment with 30 mM NaCl. Rates of uptake and root to shoot transport of chloride were similar between the two species. However, the rates of uptake and root to shoot transport of sodium by P. atlantica were approximately 2-fold and 4-fold higher, respectively, than in P. vera. The chloride and sodium accumulated in the shoots of both species was diluted by growth, with the result that there was no marked increase in leaf and stem chloride and sodium concentrations in either species with time. After 63 days of salt-treatment, mean leaf chloride concentrations were less in P. atlantica, which had a higher relative growth rate and a higher shoot to root ratio than P. vera. Mean leaf sodium concentrations were higher in P. atlantica, reflecting the greater rate of root to shoot transport of sodium by this species. Sequentially increasing salinities up to a maximum of 150 mM chloride and 90 mM sodium had no significant effect on the dry matter production of P. atlantica and P. terebinthus. Laminae chloride concentrations of both species increased as the level of salinity was increased. Sodium concentrations in laminae of P. terebinthus showed a small but significant increase during treatment with the two highest salinity levels. Chloride concentrations on a tissue water basis were highest in laminae and petioles of salt-treated plants, whereas sodium concentrations were highest in roots, especially the proximal root, indicating retention of sodium in the lower part of the plant.