Nutrient uptake, growth, and physiology of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis) varieties under NaCl stress

Soil salinity and poor-quality irrigation water in Florida, USA, have become major issues for agricultural crops. Since Florida is one of the major producers of cabbage in the country, soil salinization may significantly impact this industry. Chinese cabbage varieties are very popular in the farming community of Florida and are widely cultivated. In the present study, four Chinese cabbage varieties (‘Bilko’, ‘Red Dragon’, ‘Rubicon’, and ‘Minuet’) were tested for their tolerance, agronomic, physiological, and nutritional responses to irrigation with 0, 100, and 200 mM NaCl solutions. The results showed that NaCl irrigation has decreased the growth of the tested plants, with ‘Bilko’ being the most tolerant one, showing higher production in both control and salt stress conditions. Although NaCl stress has increased electrolyte leakage in plant leaves, it has no significant effect on proline contents, and chlorophyll contents tend to increase with salinity stress, highlighting the physiological responses of all tested varieties. Among nutritional contents, there were no significant differences, but a few treatment groups showed a significant increase and decrease in nutrient contents. The higher NaCl treatments have caused a higher accumulation of Na and Cl elements in plants, making it a major factor for the decrease in plant growth.