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The Role of Nitrogen in Inducing Salt Stress Tolerance in Crocus sativus L.: Assessment Based on Plant Growth and Ions Distribution in Leaves

Author

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  • Seyedeh Elahe Hashemi

    (Department of Genetics and Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan 7718897111, Iran)

  • Shahab Madahhosseini

    (Department of Genetics and Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan 7718897111, Iran)

  • Hadi Pirasteh-Anosheh

    (National Salinity Research Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Yazd 8917357676, Iran)

  • Ebrahim Sedaghati

    (Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Vali-e-Asr University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan 7718897111, Iran)

  • Marco Race

    (Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Via di Biasio 43, 03043 Cassino, Italy)

Abstract

The role of nitrogen (N) in inducing salt stress tolerance in plants is not well understood, and the question is more complicated in saffron ( Crocus sativus L.), which is sensitive to both nitrogen rates and salinity. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different N (0, 50 and 150 kg ha −1 ) supplies on saffron growth and ions concentration in shoots under several salt stress levels (0, 3, 6 and 9 dS m −1 ). Salinity negatively affected plant growth assessed by leaves number, leaves length, shoot dry weight, corms number and corms weight. Moreover, there was a clear direct correlation between higher salinity value and less plant growth. Different effects due to salinity and nitrogen were evident in terms of the number and length of leaves during the growing season from day 60 after first irrigation (DAF) and achieved a peak after 90 DAF. Salt stress also affected the ions balance, as Na + , Cl − and Ca 2+ were enhanced and K + was reduced, thereby damaging the plants. Nitrogen partially mitigated the negative impacts of salinity on plant growth and ions balance, although this compensatory effect was observed when nitrogen supply was set at 50 kg N ha −1 . For example, in 2019–2020, the losses in shoot dry weight due to 9 dS m −1 salinity amounted to 47%, 44% and 54%, at 0, 50 and 100 kg N ha −1 respectively, thus indicating a less negative effect of salinity at 50 kg N ha −1 . Moreover, at 100 kg N ha −1 the negative effect of salinity was stronger for six and nine dS m −1 . Our findings suggested that the optimum N supply (50 kg N ha −1 ) strengthened the plant under non-saline and moderately saline (6 dS m −1 ) conditions, and consequently improved salt tolerance.

Suggested Citation

  • Seyedeh Elahe Hashemi & Shahab Madahhosseini & Hadi Pirasteh-Anosheh & Ebrahim Sedaghati & Marco Race, 2022. "The Role of Nitrogen in Inducing Salt Stress Tolerance in Crocus sativus L.: Assessment Based on Plant Growth and Ions Distribution in Leaves," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2022:i:1:p:567-:d:1018501
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yarami, Najmeh & Sepaskhah, Ali Reza, 2015. "Physiological growth and gas exchange response of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) to irrigation water salinity, manure application and planting method," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 43-51.
    2. Yarami, Najmeh & Sepaskhah, Ali Reza, 2015. "Saffron response to irrigation water salinity, cow manure and planting method," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 57-66.
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    Keywords

    chlorine; corm; leaf; potassium; salt; sodium;
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