Influence of salinity on root hydraulic properties of three olive varieties

Abstract

Three varieties of olive, Barnea, Arbequina and Proline, varying in salt tolerance, were examined to check the sensitivity of their root system hydraulic properties to salinity. Up to three levels of saline water (EC ¼ 1.2, 4.2 and 7.5 dS m 71 ) were used for long-term irrigation of mature trees. Specific conductivities and embolism rates of roots and branches were estimated by low-pressure conductivity measurement; variability and plasticity of root and branch axial conductivities were calculated. Cross-sections of roots were analysed with respect to xylem anatomy. Barnea, and to a minor degree Arbequina, were found to be more salt-resistant than Proline. Axial root hydraulics under salt stress reacted in a more plastic fashion than branch conductivities. Increased specific conductivities of roots, different plasticities of root hydraulics and modifications in mean conduit diameters can be dismissed as foremost reasons of the observed differences in salt resistance. Instead, a high withinpopulation variability in root conductivity, as found in the salt-tolerant Barnea and Arbequina varieties, coming to full effect in high conductivity roots of Barnea trees, and an increased bimodal distribution of conduit sizes may represent favourable traits to enhance water uptake in soils with heterogeneous salinity.

Flavonoid metabolism and gene expression in developing olive (Olea europaea L.) fruit

“…Several parameters affect olive fruit phenolic content and these include genotype, pedoclimatic conditions, agronomic techniques (e.g. irrigation, fertilization), and the developmental stage of the drupe (Briante et al 2002;Vinha et al 2005;Aganchich et al 2007;Tognetti et al 2008;D'Andria et al 2009;Sgromo et al 2010;Assab et al 2011;Rewald et al 2011). Flavonoids, including flavonols, anthocyanins, and tannins, are an important class of phenolic compounds since they have many biological functions (Schijlen et al 2004).…”

Salt dynamics in soil profiles during long-term evaporation under different groundwater conditions

“…Salt stress can decrease seedling vigor and root activities, thereby inhibiting seed germination, seedling, and plant growth (Jaffel et al 2011;Rewald et al 2011;Zhang et al 2012). …”

Spatial variability of soil salinity in Bohai Sea coastal wetlands, China: Partition into four management zones

“…Salt accumulation in soil affects physical, chemical and biological processes (Karlen et al 2008), leading to restricted agricultural productivity (Rady 2011) and sustainability (Manchanda & Garg 2011;Zhang et al 2012aZhang et al , 2012bEliáš et al 2013). Salt tolerance varies among different plant species and different varieties of the same plant (Rewald et al 2011;Eliáš et al 2013). Soil salinity influences seed germination (Reichman et al 2006;Li et al 2012;Zhang et al 2012aZhang et al , 2012bXing et al 2013), root development (Shelef et al 2010;Rewald et al 2011) and plant growth.…”

“…Salt tolerance varies among different plant species and different varieties of the same plant (Rewald et al 2011;Eliáš et al 2013). Soil salinity influences seed germination (Reichman et al 2006;Li et al 2012;Zhang et al 2012aZhang et al , 2012bXing et al 2013), root development (Shelef et al 2010;Rewald et al 2011) and plant growth. The distribution of wetland vegetation plant is influenced by soil salinity (Fan et al 2011;Minggagud & Yang 2012;Zhang et al 2013), which even at low levels becomes an abiotic stress factor that influences vegetation patterns and diversification (Bui 2013).…”