Salinity reduces carbon assimilation and the harvest index of cassava plants (Manihot esculenta Crantz)
Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: This study was developed to evaluate the effects of salinity on the growth and gas exchange of cassava plants, cultivar Verdinha.The four concentrations of NaCl (mM) were as follows: 0, 20, 40, and 60.Under salinity, the lowest concentration of Na + ions was observed in the tuberous roots; however, the dry matter of tuberous roots was reduced with an application of just 20 mM NaCl.The harvest index was reduced 50% with the highest salt concentration.Salinity reduced carbon assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (g s ), transpiration, and the instantaneous water use efficiency.The correlation between g s and A was high and positive, showing that stomatal movement was one of the responsible for the lower A. Under salt stress, there was an increase in intercellular CO 2 concentration, indicating the impairment of carbon metabolism.Based on the reduction of dry matter of the tuberous roots (reduction of 81% under 60 mM NaCl), it was concluded that cassava is sensitive to salinity.The growth of shoots and the absorbing roots were minimally affected by salinity, even in the situation where A was reduced; therefore, the sensitivity of cassava was related to the high sensitivity of the tuberous roots to the ionic and/or osmotic effects of salinity.Thus, tuberous roots can be the target organ in studies that aim to improve the tolerance of cassava to salinity.
Source: Acta Scientiarum Agronomy
Institutions: Embrapa, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2747051143