Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.), native to northeastern Brazil, holds significant socioeconomic value, but its cultivation is limited by salinity, which is common in semiarid regions. This study evaluates foliar magnesium (Mg) application as a strategy to mitigate salinity stress in cashew seedlings. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with two genotypes (CCP 76 and AT01), two irrigation salinity levels (0.5 and 2.5 dS m−1), and three Mg doses (0, 1, and 2 mL L−1). Salinity reduced growth, physiological parameters, and stomatal conductance. Foliar Mg application, particularly at 1 mL L−1, alleviated these effects by increasing root dry mass, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, and intrinsic water-use efficiency, especially in genotype AT01. The 2 mL L−1 dose showed inconsistent responses, suggesting toxicity. Overall, Mg application mitigates salinity effects in cashew, with efficiency dependent on genotype and dose, and AT01 demonstrating greater tolerance.
Source: Plants
Authors: Alexandre Xavier de Oliveira, Paulo Cássio Alves Linhares, Gabriel Sidharta dos Santos Rego, Rita de Cássia do Nascimento Medeiros-Sá, Luan Cordeiro de Souza Barbosa, Janildo Pereira da Silva Júnior, Diogo Santos Cavalcante, Alex Alvares da Silva, Edivan da Silva Nunes Júnior, Kleane Targino Oliveira Pereira, Miguel Ferreira Neto, Salvador Barros Torres, Tayd Dayvison Custódio Peixoto, Alberto Soares de Melo, Francisco Vanies da Silva Sá
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
OpenAlex ID: W7116692986