EFFECTS OF ZINC ON GROWTH AND SODIUM, POTASSIUM AND CALCIUM CONCENTRATIONS OF SHOOT IN BREAD WHEAT UNDER SALT STRESS

A greenhouse pot-experiment was conducted in this research to investigate the effects of zinc (Zn) nutrition on sodium chloride (NaCl) stress of a bread wheat genotype (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Ceyhan 99). Plants were grown under 2 different Zn (0.25 and 5 mg kg(-1) soil) and 3 different NaCl (0, 5 and 10 dS m(-1)) treatments. Plants were harvested after 78 days of growth and shoot dry matter production, shoot Zn, sodium (Na), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) concentrations were determined and also shoot K/Na and Ca/Na ratios were calculated. Increasing salinity levels reduced shoot dry weights at both Zn doses. The reduction of dry weight in increased salinity with low Zn conditions receded remarkably with sufficient Zn treatment. Sufficient Zn application increased shoot Zn concentration significantly at all salt levels. Increases in Na concentration with salt treatments were found to be higher at low Zn supply than sufficient Zn conditions. Higher K concentrations were observed in each salt dose at sufficient Zn than low Zn level. Under high salt treatment, shoot K concentration significantly decreased at both Zn supplies. Calcium concentration of shoot significantly increased with increasing salinity doses at both Zn treatments. Lower Ca concentrations were observed at sufficient Zn than deficit Zn levels under 5 and 10 dS m(-1) salinity levels. K/Na and Ca/Na ratios significantly decreased with increasing salinity under both Zn doses. The results showed that sufficient level of Zn in soil may ameliorate the detrimental effects of NaCl stress in bread wheat by reducing Na and increasing K concentrations in shoots.