Effects of Salt Stress on Vegetative Growth Parameters and Ion Accumulations in Cucurbit Rootstock Genotypes

Year 2016, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 11 - 24, 30.07.2016

Ahmet Balkaya

Abstract

Salt stress leads to decreases in plant growth, development, yield and quality changes of many plant species. Winter squash
and pumpkins were recommended for use of rootstocks for the grafted watermelon, melon and cucumber growing in the
saline soils. Grafted seedlings recently are being used widely for vegetable crops grown in many countries of the world.
In this study, it was aimed to identify differences in salt tolerance of local winter squash, bottle gourd, pumpkin genotypes,
and their interspecific rootstock hybrids (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata) by using some vegetative growth
parameters and ion accumulations. Salt was applied at 4,8,12, and 16 dS m-1NaCI salinity levels for each genotypes.
Non-salt-treated plants were kept as controls. Plant vegetative growth parameters such as plant height, stem diameter, leaf
number and leaf area were negatively affected by salt stress. The results showed that NaCI treatment caused an increase
in Na+ ion concentration and decreased in K+
, and Ca++ ion concentrations. In conclusion, Cucurbit rootstock genotypes
showed large variation in their response to salt tolerance. Seven pumpkin inbred lines (G2, G3, G4, G7, G29, G30, and
G31), three winter squash inbred lines (G9, G12, and G13), three interspecific hybrids of C. maxima x C. moschata
(G14, G15, and G40) were found as salt tolerant. We would highly recommend use of promising salt tolerant rootstock
genotypes for grafted watermelon, melon and cucumber seedling production.

Keywords

winter squash, pumpkin, hybrid, rootstock, growth, resistance

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