Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Ungrafted and Grafted Bell Pepper Plants (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum (L.) Sendtn.) Grown under Moderate Salt Stress

Abstract

The response of grafted bell pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L. var. grossum (L.) Sendtn.) to salt stress was investigated by analyzing the photosynthetic traits and mineral content of the plants and the metabolic composition of the fruit. The bell pepper variety “Vedrana” was grafted onto the salt-tolerant rootstock “Rocal F1” and grown at two salinities (20 mM and 40 mM NaCl) and control (0 mM NaCl) during the spring–summer period. On a physiological level, similar stomatal restriction of photosynthesis in grafted and ungrafted plants indicated that grafting did not alleviate water balance disturbances under increased salt exposure. Measurements of midday water potential did not show improved water status of grafted plants. The similar metabolic changes in grafted and ungrafted plants were also reflected in similarly reduced fruit yields. Thus, this grafting did not reduce the risk of ionic and osmotic imbalance in pepper plants grown under moderate salt treatment. Changes in the biochemical profiles of the pepper fruit were seen for both added-salt treatments. The fruit phenolic compounds were affected by rootstock mediation, although only for the July harvest, where total phenolics content increased with 40 mM NaCl treatment. Fruit ascorbic acid content increased with the duration of salt stress, without the mediation of the rootstock. The high salt dependence of this quality trait in pepper fruit appears to lead to more limited rootstock mediation effects.

Enhancing salinity tolerance in cucumber through Selenium biofortification and grafting

“…Still, at high levels of salinity stress, the growth characteristics studied in grafted plants were higher than non-grafted plants; this shows the positive effect of grafting and using pumpkin rootstock under salinity stress conditions and follows the results obtained in the pepper ( Capsicum annuum L.) [ 66 ]. According to the conducted studies, grafting can affect water absorption and nutrient elements [ 67 , 68 ]. In the present study, grafting and foliar application of Se improved the growth characteristics of cucumber under salinity stress conditions.…”

Unveiling the Synergistic Effects of Phosphorus Fertilization and Organic Amendments on Red Pepper Growth, Productivity and Physio-Biochemical Response under Saline Water Irrigation and Climate-Arid Stresses

“…However, soil salinity significantly restricts red pepper yields in the area [6,7]. Red pepper plants, which are moderately sensitive to salinity, have a tolerance threshold of 1.5 dS.m −1 [8]. Salinity levels exceeding this threshold can decrease marketable yields by up to 32%, and doubling the salinity to 3 dS.m −1 can lead to a 53% yield reduction [9].…”

Zinc and Silicon Nano-Fertilizers Influence Ionomic and Metabolite Profiles in Maize to Overcome Salt Stress

“…Specific metabolites, including malic acid, citric acid, glucose, fructose, and sucrose, play key roles as signaling molecules, osmolytes, or antioxidants under saline conditions [13][14][15]. Similarly, malic and citric acid aid in energy provision for essential plant processes [16,17], and glucose, fructose, and sucrose play an indispensable role in modulating osmotic balance and signal transduction [18][19][20].…”