The effect of salinity on the growth, water status, and ion content on Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris. L. var. El-Djadida)

Abstract

Stress salinity has an important effect on crops physiology. The scope of our study was to evaluate the effect of salt stress tolerance as determined through growth attributes, water status and ion content in (Phaseolus vul-garis. L), the variety of El-Djadida in 6 weeks post stress application. The ex-periment was performed under glasshouse, in controlled conditions, in pots and irrigated with nutrient solution of Hoagland. Plants were irrigated with water containing sodium chloride alone (100 and 200 meq.l-1) combined with sodium chloride (NaCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) (100 and 150 meq.l-1). The results obtained showed that the salt application had a depressive effect on the organic growth however, this trend was dependant on the intensity of the stress. The hydric state of the plant varied with the concentration of sub-strate, thus exhibiting the ability to moderate the sensitive plant to adjust gradually to their osmotic pressure even by maintaining high concentrations of K+. The distribution of Na+, K+ and Ca++ in plant organs leaves and roots highlighted that the high level of salinity increased with levels of Na+ which inhibited the absorption of Ca++ and K+ ions.