Original research articles

Effects of salinity on leaf mineral composition and salt injury symptoms of some Iranian wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris) genotypes

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the suitability of wild grapevine genotypes to saline conditions by measuring leaf ion content and salt injury symptoms.

Methods and results: Vines of nine wild (Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris) genotypes were planted in pots and after the good establishment, salinity treatments (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl) started. At the end of the experimental period, the K+, Na+, NO3- and Cl- content of leaves and visible symptoms of salt injury were recorded. Leaf Na+ and Cl- content increased with increasing salinity but levels and accumulation rates were different among genotypes.

Conclusion: Based on Na+ and Cl- content and salt symptoms, genotypes 4 and 7 showed less symptoms than the other genotypes at moderate (50-100 mM) NaCl concentration and none could tolerate high salt (150 mM) concentration.

Significance and impact of the study: Under saline conditions, ion accumulation in the leaves significantly varied among wild genotypes and some of them could be recommended as saline tolerant genotypes.

Introduction

Accumulation of Cl- and Na+ in grapevines in saline condition may result in physiological disturbances leading to reductions in growth, vegetative biomass, and fruit yield (Walker et al., 2010). The specific ion toxicity occurs when the vines accumulate certain ions at levels above those known to cause detrimental effects. Grapevines are considered moderately sensitive to root-zone salinity and it has long been known that variation in salt tolerance exists between grapevine species and cultivars (Fisarakis et al., 2001). Several studies revealed that salt tolerance mechanisms in grapevine involve many factors like restriction of ion absorption, translocation from roots to shoots, photosynthesis alteration and solute accumulation (Shani and Ben-Gal, 2005; Walker et al., 2010). Some of the grapevine rootstocks have been rated as tolerant to salinity due to their ability to prevent Na+ and/or Cl- uptake and translocation to aerial parts of the vines (Tregeagle et al., 2006). When used as a grapevine rootstock, 140 Ruggeri (Vitis berlandieri × Vitis rupestris) is known to be a good Cl- excluder, whereas K 51-40 (Vitis champinii × Vitis riparia 'Gloire') is a poor excluder and scions grafted to it accumulate high concentrations of Cl- when grown under saline conditions (Walker et al., 2010). One of the strategies adopted in overcoming salinity is the use of tolerant genotypes through the characterization of local genetic resources and the selection of potential tolerant genotypes (Fisarakis et al., 2001). In Iran, wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris) populations are generally found in riparian woodland habitats in the Alborz and Zagros Mountains in the north and north-west of the country (Doulati Baneh et al., 2011). The availability of these genotypes provides an excellent opportunity to determine their suitability to saline conditions. So the aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of nine wild grapevine genotypes to salt stress, with an emphasis on ion (Na+, K+, Cl-, NO3-) accumulation and interaction in leaves.

Materials and methods

Vines of nine wild grapevine genotypes were planted in pots containing a mixture of soil (fine loamy, super active, mixed, mesic typic calcixerepts) and sand (1:1 v/v). They were grown for 40 days and after good plant establishment (8 cm green shoot growth, 5 young leaves), salinity treatments started. The experimental design was a Factorial Complete Randomized Block design with two factors (salinity at 0, 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl and genotype including 9 wild grapevines). This experiment was carried out at the Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center of West Azerbaijan-Iran. At the end of the experimental period, the concentration of K+, Na+, NO3- and Cl- in leaves was measured and visible symptoms of salt injury in vines scored as: 1- plants with no necrotic tissues; 2- necrosis on 30% of blade and on the tip of the leaves; 3- necrosis on 50% of the leaves and on the stem; 4- necrosis on 60-80% of the leaves and on the stem; and 5- necrosis leading to the death of the plant. Analysis of variance (two way ANOVA) was done using SAS 9.1 software and differences among means were compared by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at P<0.05.

Results

There were significant differences (P<0.001) between genotypes in mean leaf Na+, K+, Cl- and NO3- content in the salinity treatments (table 1). Based on the percentage of explained variance, salinity treatment had more effect than genotype on all characters, except NO3- (table 2). Na+ and Cl- content significantly increased with increasing salinity level to varying degrees across grapevines (table 3).

Table 1. Analysis of variance on different characters affected by salinity and genotype.


S.O.V d.f Means of Squarea
Na+ K+ Cl- NO3- Salt Injury
Block 2 30.93 2.23 45.13 2.22 0.07**
Salinity (S) 3 1006.00** 12.47** 1658.75** 161.97** 7.73**
Genotype (G) 8 42.47** 1.54** 67.11** 61.66** 0.32**
S×G 24 10.24** 0.82** 14.63** 12.04** 0.10**
Error 70 3.01 0.35 3.23 2.54 0.02
C.V (%) 7.07 10.34 6.51 13.16 8.62

S.O.V., Source of variance; d.f., degree of freedom; ** Significant differences at P≤ 0.01; a.

Table 2. Percentage of Explained Variance.


S.O.V Percentage of Explained Variance (PEV)
Na+ K+ Cl-      NO3- Salt Injury
Salinity (S) 77.8 38 80.5 16.1 78.1
Genotype (G) 8.7 12.5 8.7 42.9 8.6
S×G 6.3 20 5.68 25.1 8

S.O.V., Source of variance.

Table 3. Interaction effect of salinity and genotype on Na+ and Cl- content (mg g-1 dry weight).


NaCl Levels
Sample 0 mM 50 mM 100 mM 150 mM
Na+ Cl- Na+ Cl- Na+ Cl- Na+ Cl-
G1 1.7e 4.6de 10.4c 19.4b 17.3b 27.5bcd 24.3b 33.7ab
G2 8.5cd 5.8cd 15.7ab 20.7b 21.5ab 32.6a 28.5ab 36.7a
G3 12.2ab 13.6ab 18.4a 23ab 22.6a 31ab 27.4ab 36.3ab
G4 9.5bcd 4.9de 15.4ab 18.8b 20.0ab 23.7d 26.8ab 26.6d
G5 11.4abc 12.2b 15.03ab 22.8ab 18.0ab 26.6cd 27.4ab 31.9c
G6 9.0cd 13.3ab 13.3bc 22.8ab 21.7ab 29.2abc 27.6ab 32.9abc
G7 12.9a 3.2e 18.1a 14.4c 22.2ab 24.9cd 26.3abc 29d
G8 10.1abcd 15.5a 13.8bc 26.9a 19.7ab 27.6bcd 30.2a 33.7ab
G9 7.1d 7.5c 13.5bc 18.6b 20.7ab 26.3cd 27. 7ab 33.4abc

Means followed by different letters are significantly different at P≤ 0.05 using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test.

Na+ accumulation in leaves of salt treated vines varied based on the genotype. In the control treatment (0 mM NaCl), genotype 1 showed the lowest and genotypes 3 and 7 the highest Na+ content. By increment of NaCl concentration to 50 mM, these two genotypes (3 and 7) still had the highest Na+ concentration. In severe salt stress (100 and 150 mM NaCl), genotype 1 had the lowest Na+ content. By comparing Na+ increment rate in leaves of all genotypes from control to 150 mM NaCl, it was revealed that genotype 7 accumulated the lowest Na+ content and genotype 1 the highest (table 3). Although genotype 1 had the lowest Na+ content in all treatments, it showed the most salt injury symptoms.

The accumulation of Cl- in leaf tissue of all wild genotypes was increased dramatically as salinity rose from 0 to 50 mM and then from this point to 150 mM increased moderately. The lowest Cl- content in the control treatment was recorded in wild genotypes 7, 1 and 4, respectively. Cl- content in leaves of genotypes 7 and 4 was the lowest in all salinity treatments, whereas in genotype 1 Cl- content increased, especially at 100 and 150 mM NaCl. From control to 150 mM NaCl, genotypes 2 and 3 accumulated much higher concentrations of Cl- than did the other genotypes (table 3).

The leaf K+ accumulation pattern from 0 to 150 mM NaCl varied among wild genotypes. From 0 to 50 mM and 100 mM NaCl treatments, the K+ content of leaves increased. In this NaCl range, the highest K+ accumulation was determined in wild genotypes 6, 9, 3 and 4, respectively, and the lowest in genotypes 7 and 8 (table 4). At 150 mM NaCl, the K+ content declined in all genotypes. Salinity significantly decreased the leaf NO3- content of all wild genotypes, but the extent of this reduction varied depending on the genotype (table 4).

Table 4. Interaction effect of salinity and genotype on NO3- and K+ content (mg g-1 dry weight).


Sample NaCl Levels
0 mM 50 mM 100 mM 150 mM
NO3- K+ NO3- K+ NO3- K+ NO3- K+
G1 6.6cd 0.8abc 6.6ab 1.2b 5.5a 1.2b 4.3a 0.7ab
G2 10.7ab 0.8abc 8.0 a 1.2b 3.6bc 1.1bcd 2.4bc 0.8ab
G3 5.6de 0.7bcd 4.1c 1.3ab 3.9b 1.1bcd 2.3bc 0.6b
G4 7.6c 0.6cd 7.4a 1.2b 4.4ab 1.1bcd 3.6ab 0.8ab
G5 2.4f 1.0ab 1.4d 1.3ab 2.1cd 1cd 2.0bc 0.9ab
G6 9.8b 0.37d 4.4bc 1.3ab 3.9b 1.1bcd 4.3a 1.0a
G7 12.2a 0.9abc 6.5ab 1.1b 3.5bc 0.9d 3ab 0.7ab
G8 4.0ef 1.2a 4.7bc 1.3ab 1.7d 1.2bc 0.8c 0.9ab
G9 4.6e 1.1bab 6.1abc 1.6a 4.7ab 1.5a 2.9ab 0.92a

Means followed by different letters are significantly different at P≤ 0.05 using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test.

By increasing the salt concentrations, injury symptoms were extended to leaves and shoots of all genotypes. Wild genotypes 1, 5, 6 and 8 could not tolerate 50 mM NaCl and all of them were dried, while genotypes 4 and 7 showed fewer injury symptoms and continued to be tolerant up to 100 mM NaCl. At 150 mM NaCl, genotypes 2 and 7 were not completely dried and all the other genotypes were dead (table 5).

Table 5. Effect of salinity levels on salt injury in leaves of wild grapevine genotypes.


Genotype NaCl Levels
0 mM 50 mM 100 mM 150 mM
G1 1e 5a 5a 5a
G2 1e 4b 5a 4b
G3 1e 4b 3c 5a
G4 1e 2d 2d 5a
G5 1e 5a 5a 5a
G6 1e 5a 5a 5a
G7 1e 3c 2d 4b
G8 1e 5a 5a 5a
G9 1e 4b 4b 5a

Means followed by different letters are significantly different at P≤ 0.05 using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test.

As shown in table 6, mean Cl- content was higher than Na+ content in all genotypes except genotype 7. And genotypes with high Cl- content (3, 8, 6 and 2, respectively) showed more salt injury.

Table 6. Mean accumulation of anions and cations in leaves of wild grapevine genotypes.


Genotype Na+ K+ Cl- NO3- Salt Injury
G1 13.44d 0.99bc 21.34c 5.74a 4 a
G2 18.55abc 0.99bc 23.98ab 6.18a 4a
G3 20.17a 0.93c 25.99a 3.96b 3b
G4 17.94bc 0.92c 18.54d 5.77a 2c
G5 17.98bc 1.04bc 23.37bc 2.01c 4a
G6 17.92bc 0.94c 24.58ab 5.60a 4a
G7 19.90ab 0.89c 17.88d 6.29a 2c
G8 18.48abc 1.15ab 25.95a 2.82c 4a
G9 17.28c 1.28a 21.43c 4.59b 3b

Means followed by different letters are significantly different at P≤ 0.05 using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test.

Discussion

High NaCl concentration in the nutrient solution leads to increased Na+ and Cl- content in leaves. Wild genotypes 4 and 7 showed the lowest Cl- content in their leaves. They may have the ability to limit the accumulation of chloride. Genetic differences in capability of plant species and varieties to restrict Na+ and Cl- uptake from the soil or to reduce ion transport to the xylem could be an influential factor in diminishing the accumulation of those ions in leaves. Fisarakis et al. (2001) found consistently higher accumulations of Cl- and Na+ in roots as compared to the leaves of 'Sultana' vines and suggested that capability to store Na+ in roots is a tolerance characteristic of rootstocks.

The data presented here suggest that leaf K+ content was reduced only at 150 mM NaCl and increase in K+ concentration at lower NaCl levels was in contrast with the results of Garcia and Charbaji (1993), who reported Na-K antagonism, even at low NaCl doses. Singh et al. (2000) reported that leaf K+ concentration was not decreased by salinity and plants were able to maintain a high level of K+ under salinity stress.

The reduction of NO3- concentration in all genotypes under salinity is due probably to NO3--Cl- antagonism. There is a possibility that growth reduction is not entirely due to Cl- toxicity, but may be partially due to Cl- induced NO3- deficiency. Results presented in our study showed that high external NaCl concentration probably reduces NO3- accumulation in wild grapevine genotypes, which is consistent with previous studies (Fisarakis et al., 2005).

Sodium and chloride effects are involved in direct toxicity or disturbance in the nutritional balance of vines. In this study, all wild grapevine genotypes showed severe salt injury symptoms (leaf burn, defoliation and shoot necrosis) at high salt concentration. At 100 mM NaCl, genotypes 4 and 7 had the lowest Cl- content, but their Na+ content was as high as that of the other genotypes.

Conclusion

There are a lot of parameters that determine whether a genotype is tolerant or sensitive to salinity. The ability of genotypes to control Na+ and Cl- absorption and translocation is one of the most important factors. The higher the ability of plant to prevent the uptake of these ions, the higher the tolerance. Salt injury is related to the accumulation of Na+ and Cl- ions in leaves but seems more likely associated with Cl- content. As shown in our study, the Cl- content was higher than the Na+ content in all genotypes under salinity treatments. Also leaf Cl- content of the more tolerant genotypes 4, 7 was lower than that of the other genotypes in all NaCl treatments, but their leaf Na+ content was as high as the others. It is also revealed that all tested wild grapevine genotypes cannot tolerate 150 mM NaCl.


Acknowledgements: The support provided by the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF) is gratefully acknowledged.

References

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Authors


Hamed Doulati Baneh

ah_dolati@yahoo.com

Affiliation : Scientific board member of Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of West Azerbaijan,Urmia, Iran


Abbas Hassani

Affiliation : Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Department of Horticulture, Urmia, Iran


Farokh Ghani Shaieste

Affiliation : Scientific board member of Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center of West Azerbaijan,Urmia, Iran

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