Influence of NaCl salinity on growth and mineral uptake of lulo (Solanum quitoense L.)

Lulo (Sola,Solanum,quitoense, L.) seedlings were grown in quartz sand in a greenhouse. The plants were subjected to a 10-week treatment with 30 mM or 60 mM NaCl. Plant vegetative growth (dry matter accumulation) was slightly inhibited by salinity. Dry matter production of leaves was reduced by 6 % and 15 % by 30 mM and 60 mM NaCl respectively. Salt application increased the Na+-concentration in roots, shoots and leaves. Na+ accumulated in the leaf tissue up to 1.8 % of dry matter (60 mM NaCl treatment), a tenfold higher concentration as found in control plants. Cl- was readily accumulated up to 3 % of d.m. in the leaves of control plants. NaCl application resulted in an increase of Cl--uptake, particularly in the roots. K+ was reduced in the above-ground parts as a consequence of salinization. In contrast, the uptake of the bivalent cations Ca2+ and Mg2+ was slightly increased in salt-stressed plants. Considering the minor impact of NaCl salinity on the vegetative development and with respect to the high uptake of Na+ and Cl-, it is concluded, that lulo might be a moderately salt-tolerant fruit crop, comparable to tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum).