Physiological Responses of Cherry Rootstocks to Short Term Salinity

The physiological responses of cherry rootstocks were evaluated under moderate salinity in short term. MaxMa 14, CAB-6P and Mazzard rootstocks were treated with 35 mM NaCl solution for 1 month to assess physiological responses. Under NaCl stress, rootstocks' physiological parameters were compared with their own control, with the greatest alterations in SPAD value, leaf relative water content (LRWC), membrane permeability and stomatal conductivity. SPAD value was reduced by 9.5, 2.17 and 2.27% in saline-treated plants of MaxMa 14, CAB-6P and Mazzard, respectively. MaxMa 14 and CAB-6P exhibited a rapid decrease in stomatal conductivity by 39.90 and 47.60%, respectively compared with their control, while in Mazzard there was a reduction by 5.28% compared with its control. Moreover, LRWC of the plants decreased by 11.24 and 13.75% in salt-treated MaxMa 14 and CAB-6P, respectively. In comparison, a lower reduction of LRWC (6.11%) was observed in NACl-treated Mazzard. As seen in the result of experiment, the inhibitory effects of NaCl were less in Mazzard compared with MaxMa 14 and CAB-6P.