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Modulation of the nutritional and biochemical status of hydroponically grown Cucurbita pepo L. by calcium nitrate under saline conditions.
- Source :
- Horticultural Science; 2023, Vol. 50 Issue 2, p127-141, 15p
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Salinity is one of the critical environmental factors that decreases the water availability and induces nutritional imbalance in crops. In order to study the effect of calcium nitrate [(Ca(NO<subscript>3</subscript>)<subscript>2</subscript>] in the nutrient solution under salinity conditions, an experiment was designed with different salinity (0, 50, and 100 mM) and Ca(NO<subscript>3</subscript>)<subscript>2</subscript> (2, 3, and 4 mM) levels on Cucurbita pepo (zucchini). Based on the results, an increase in the salinity from 0 to 100 mM caused a decrease in the leaf potassium and calcium concentration, whereas the iron, magnesium and zinc concentrations increased. The most effective Ca(NO<subscript>3</subscript>)<subscript>2</subscript> level in increasing the nutritional quality and yield of zucchini was 3 and 4 mM. Salinity at 50 and 100 mM significantly increased the leaf sodium concentration and leaf area as well as the leaf number per plant, while the application of both Ca(NO<subscript>3</subscript>)<subscript>2</subscript> levels modulated the harmful effects of salinity. The amount of malondialdehyde (MDA), proline and hydrogen peroxide (H<subscript>2</subscript>O<subscript>2</subscript>) as well as the catalase (CAT) activity increased under the severe salinity conditions, whereas the application of 4 mM Ca(NO<subscript>3</subscript>)<subscript>2</subscript> had the potential of removing the negative effects of severe salinity. The catalase activity increased along with the increase in the Ca(NO<subscript>3</subscript>)<subscript>2</subscript> concentration, which was independent from the salinity level. However, the amount of proline, MDA and H<subscript>2</subscript>O<subscript>2</subscript> decreased in plants fed with 3 and 4 mM Ca(NO<subscript>3</subscript>)<subscript>2</subscript> compared to the control in the presence of salinity. These findings suggest that both the 3 and 4 mM concentrations of Ca(NO<subscript>3</subscript>)<subscript>2</subscript> under 50 mM salinity could be used to improve the zucchini performance by maintaining the ion homeostasis and inducing the antioxidant defence system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0862867X
- Volume :
- 50
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Horticultural Science
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 169897377
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.17221/105/2021-hortsci