Effects of Salinity on Antioxidant Enzymes and some Morphophysiological Traits of Two Interspecies Hybrid Pistachio Rootstocks

Document Type : scientific research article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Plant Production, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.

2 Corresponding Author, Associate Prof., Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Plant Production, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.

3 Associate Prof., Semnan Center of Agricultural Research, Education and Extension, Semnan, Iran.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Abiotic stresses, such as salinity, are recognized as one of the foremost threats to agricultural security. Given the strategic significance of pistachios as a valuable crop and the notable rise in soil salinity levels in Iran, this research aims to examine the impact of salinity stress induced by sodium chloride on antioxidant enzymes and various morphophysiological traits. Specifically, the study compares two interspecific and promising pistachio hybrids, Arota 1 and Arota 2, with their parent species Atlantica (P. atlantica) and Integerrima (P. integerrima).

Materials and methods: The experiment was conducted in the year 2021 at the research greenhouse of the Agricultural Organization in Shahrood city and the laboratory of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. It followed a factorial experiment in frame of a completely randomized design with three replications on one-year-old seedlings. The first factor involved salinity stress at three levels (zero, 100, and 200 mM sodium chloride), while the second factor consisted of four different rootstocks (Arota 1, Arota 2, Atlantica, and Integerrima). The Arota rootstocks were obtained through controlled crossbreeding, with Atlantica serving as the female parent and Integerrima as the male parent. Salt stress was applied for a duration of 90 days, after which antioxidant enzymes and morphophysiological traits were measured.

Results: The findings demonstrate that salinity stress leads to a decrease in rootstock height, with Arota 2 exhibiting the lowest percentage of decline. The sodium content of all four rootstocks increased as salinity levels rose, with Arota 2 recording the lowest concentration of sodium (5.06 mg g-1 of DW) in the control treatment. The highest potassium content (21.77 mg g-1 DW) was observed in the control and in Arota 1. The highest concentrations of total anthocyanin and total phenol were recorded at salinity levels of 200 µM and in Arota 1 and 2. The highest amount of leaf proline (5.07 µg g-1 FW) was observed at a salinity level of 200 µM and in Arota 1. Antioxidant enzyme activity was more pronounced in Arota genotypes under extreme stress conditions, with Arota 2 exhibiting the lowest malondialdehyde level (31.13 nmol g-1 FW) in stress conditions.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the findings of this study indicated that the Atlantic rootstock displayed susceptibility and performed poorly under stress conditions, as evidenced by various traits. On the other hand, the promising genotypes of Arota exhibited superior performance in most traits compared to their parent species, demonstrating their resilience in stressful conditions. The Arota rootstocks emerged as the most tolerant genotypes to salinity stress, underscoring the significance of identifying and utilizing tolerant genotypes to mitigate the impact of abiotic stresses, such as salinity, on sustainable agricultural production.

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