Effects of sodium chloride applications and different growth media on ionic composition in strawberry plant

Abstract

The effects of salt (NaCl) applications of various concentrations (0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/L) for 10 weeks (69 days) on the morphologic properties and ionic composition of the "Camarosa" strawberry variety grown in perlite and perlite: zeolite (1:1) media were investigated. Injuries of varying severity appeared in the plants depending on the increase of NaCl concentration. At the end of the salt applications, in the aerial part of the plants, the amounts of sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) had generally increased, while the amount of potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) had decreased. In the roots of the plants, salt applications increased the amount of Na and Cl and decreased the amount of K and Mg; however, they did not change the amount of Ca and P. In addition, in the aerial parts of the plant, the amounts of Ca and Mg were higher in the perlite:zeolite (1:1) medium than in the perlite medium generally. It was observed that in the roots, the amount of K was higher in the perlite medium, whereas the amount of Mg was higher in the perlite: zeolite (1:1) medium. It was determined that 500, 1000, and 2000mg/L NaCl levels caused osmotic effects in the "Camarosa" strawberry variety. Moreover, they possess the ability to bring about osmotic regulation.