Effect of low NaCl concentrations on the water relations of rapeseed

Abstract

The experiment was carried out in order to examine whether relatively low concentrations of NaCl (0.2, 0.6 and 1.2 g NaCl/L in the nutrient solution), which may appear in agricultural soils or irrigation waters, affect physiological processes in young rapeseed plants (cultivar Slavica) grown under semi-controlled conditions, on a nutrient solution. The experiment was done in 7 replications, with 8 plants per replication. Increased salinity had no influence on adaxial density of stomata, while abaxial density of stomata and specific leaf area declined with an increase in NaCl concentration in the nutrient solution. The intensity of transpiration also declined with an increase in NaCl concentration in the nutrient solution. Even though plant growth was not significantly affected by applied concentrations of NaCl, it is evident that the impact of salts is complex and it is necessary to study whether there are significant changes in plant metabolism.