CARBON ISOTOPE DISCRIMINATION IN MANGO LEAVES UNDER SALT STRESS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of mango plants (Mangifera indica L) 'Tommy Atkins' cultivar to different NaCl concentrations. In this experiment, plants were grown in pots with washed sand and nutrient solution with 0, 10, 20 and 30 mM NaCl for 120 days. After this period, young leaves from the last growth spurt were harvested in a randomized block design, dried at 65 degrees C for 72 h and ground in a ball mill. Samples were dried again in an oven at 60 degrees C for 24 h and then the relative abundance of C-13 and C-12 isotopes was determined using mass spectrometer Sercon 20-20 isotope ratio model. Data were used to determine the carbon isotopic discrimination (Delta). It was concluded that 'Tommy Atkins' mango trees submitted to 30 mmol L-1 NaCl discriminated less C-13, which may be an indication of salt stress in these plants.