Effect of irrigation water salinity on morphological and physiological characteristics of celery

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of salinity levels of irrigation water on the morphological and physiological characteristics of celery (Apium graveolens L.) during early seedling development. Celery seedlings of Balena cultivar were grown with saline irrigation water consisting of different NaCl levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mM). The results showed that increasing salt stress inhibited plant growth by destroying physiological parameters. Each increase in NaCl resulted in a decrease in the length, diameter, number, and fresh and dry weight of leaves. Dry matter, chlorophyll content, leaf temperature, and turgor loss improved when NaCl levels were increased; however, salinity caused a reduction in leaf relative water content. Leaf fresh and dry weights were lower under salt stress, even at 50 mM NaCl. Leaf temperature was higher in plants grown under salinity and reached the maximum level at 100 mM NaCl. The stomata on the abaxial side of the leaves were smaller but more numerous under salinity than in the control plants. It was concluded that celery’s plant growth was significantly influenced by salinity and that it could endure salinity lower than 100 mM NaCl.