Physiological and antioxidative responses in potato under saline irrigation

Abstract

Salinity continues to challenge crop cultivation under current water precarity conditions. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the influence of electromagnetic treatment of saline water on agrophysiological and antioxidative responses of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Three potato varieties (Spunta, Bellini, and Alaska) were subjected, over two growing seasons, to three drip irrigation treatments: saline water (SW), electromagnetic saline water (MSW), and groundwater (control). Phenology, agrophysiological, and biochemical traits were evaluated along the growth cycle. Results showed that, phenological response was similar under SW and MSW. The MSW treatment enhanced the yield, photosynthesis, and chlorophyll fluorescence. Plants irrigated with SW showed higher membrane lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde [MDA]), antioxidant enzymes, and soluble sugar content in their leaves. Alaska was less responsive to salinity, as it exhibits delayed implementation of antioxidative enzymes and lower MDA and H2O2 contents. It was concluded that MSW might be beneficial for potato cultivation under saline conditions.