Shading Treatments Improved Plant Growth and Physiological Responses of Sweet Cherry Plants Subjected to Salt Stress

The responses of sweet cherry plant to salt stress and shading treatments were investigated in the study. The study was performed in a greenhouse with 1-year-old 0900 Ziraat sweet cherry cultivar grafted onto MaxMa 14 grown in 10 L pots. About 2 months after planting, salinity and shading treatments were initiated. Three levels of shading (40, 60 and 80%) were employed. 35 mM NaCl (sodium chloride) was used to expose plants to moderate salt stress. The plants were stressed during four months. Many morphological and physiological responses were assessed. Salt stress remarkably decreased plant growth and chlorophyll, anthocyanin contents and stomatal conductance. Shading treatments protected cell membranes, leaf water status and photosynthetic pigments and leaded increment in gas exchange under salinity conditions. Cell death of leaves was observed by Evans blue staining. Necrotic lesion was not observed in the leaves of control, shading with 60 and 80% plants. The results of the study showed that shading with 80% had higher protective effect on salt stress in sweet cherry.