Salt tolerance identification of three species of chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum chanetii and two geoecotypes (Nanjing and Hangzhou) of Ch. indicum were irrigated with NaCl solution at different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, 200mmol/L) during the growing period. Salt tolerance was identified by measuring changes of chlorophyll, proline and soluble sugar, POD activity and water content. Under salt stress, the chlorophyll content, POD activities and water contents of Nanjing Ch. indicum and Ch. chanetti maintained high levels. Proline and soluble sugar accumulated significantly. These parameters were improved by applying 50mmol/L NaCl, and reduced dramatically when concentration was above 50mmol/L in Hangzhou Ch. indicum. Salt tolerance of these three wild species of chrysanthemum decreased with Nanjing Ch. indicum, Ch. chanetii and Hangzhou Ch. indicum.