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Abstract

In order to study the effect of NaCl salinity stress on the growth and ion content in five olive cultivars, an experiment was conducted in split-plot based on CRD with three replications. The main factor consisted of four levels of NaCl(0, 25, 50 and 100 mM NaCl) while subfactors were five olive cultivars (Dezfuli, Konservalia, Fishomi, Zard, Manzanila). Uniform, 1-year-old plants were planted in 20L pots containing sand-perlite mixture (1:1) and were irrigated using half-strength Coic solution. Salinity treatments were conducted for a duration of five months. Results indicated that growth indices were entirely decreased during stress condition and NaCl salinity. Generally reduced plant growth occurs especially in the above ground parts of plants. The K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ cations decreased due to NaCl salinity stress, the decrease in roots being more than that in other parts of the plant. Salinity exerted no significant effect on N and P uptake. The concentration of Na+ and Cl- (DW %) in roots was higher than that in other parts of the plants (shoots and leaves) and increased by increasing salinity. Large genotypic differences were detected on Na+ transport to above ground parts (shoots and leaves). Among the five olive cultivars, Dezfuli and Conservalia exhibit a higher tolerance while Manzanila shows a lower tolerance to NaCl stress.

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