Physiological responses of NaCl stressed cowpea plants grown in nutrient solution supplemented with CaCl2
Year: 2003
Type: article
Abstract: Pitiuba cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) plants were grown in nutrient solution and kept in a greenhouse up to pre-flowering stage. They were subjected to four different treatments: nutrient solution; nutrient solution containing 75 mmol.L-1 NaCl; nutrient solution containing 75 mmol.L-1 NaCl and 5 mmol.L-1 CaCl2; and nutrient solution containing 75 mmol.L-1 NaCl and 10 mmol.L-1 CaCl2. Salt stress strongly inhibited plant growth, caused a disturbance in plant-water balance, and increased the total content of inorganic solutes in the different plant parts, due mainly to accumulation of Na+ and Cl-. It also increased leaf and root soluble carbohydrates, reduced soluble amino nitrogen both in root tips and in the youngest trifoliate leaves, and reduced proline levels in root tips. Although the addition of CaCl2 to the root environment of salt stressed plants caused a reduction in Na+ content, specially in roots, it did not ameliorate the salt stress effects on plant-water relations and growth. Therefore, the results obtained do not support the hypothesis that supplemental calcium would ameliorate the inhibitory effects of NaCl-stress.
Authors: José Vieira Silva, Claudivan Feitosa de Lacerda, Paulo Henrique Alves da Costa, Joaquim Enéas Filho, Enéas Gomes Filho, José Tarquínio Prisco
Institution: Universidade Federal do Ceará
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2140093507