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Articles
by
A.S. BHATTI |
Total Records (
1 ) for
A.S. BHATTI |
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M. ASHRAF
,
RAHMATULLAH
,
R. AHMAD
,
A.S. BHATTI
,
M. AFZAL
,
A. SARWAR
,
M.A. MAQSOOD
and
S. KANWAL
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A hydroponics experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of potassium (K) and silicon (Si) in mitigating the deleterious effects of NaCl on sugarcane genotypes differing in salt tolerance. Two salt-sensitive (CPF 243 and SPF 213) and two salt-tolerant (HSF 240 and CP 77-400) sugarcane genotypes were grown for six weeks in ½ strength Johnson's nutrient solution. The nutrient solution was salinized by two NaCl levels (0 and 100 mmol L−1 NaCl) and supplied with two levels of K (0 and 3 mmol L−1) and Si (0 and 2 mmol L−1). Applied NaCl enhanced Na+ concentration in plant tissues and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced shoot and root dry matter in four sugarcane genotypes. However, the magnitude of reduction was much greater in salt-sensitive genotypes than salt-tolerant genotypes. The salts interfered with the absorption of K+ and Ca2+ and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased their uptake in sugarcane genotypes. Addition of K and Si either alone or in combination significantly (P ≤ 0.05) inhibited the uptake and transport of Na+ from roots to shoots and improved dry matter yields under NaCl conditions. Potassium uptake, K+/Na+ ratios, and Ca2+ and Si uptake were also significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased by the addition of K and/or Si to the root medium. In this study, K and Si-enhanced salt tolerance in sugarcane genotypes was ascribed to decreased Na+ concentration and increased K+ with a resultant improvement in K+/Na+ ratio, which is a good indicator to assess plant tolerance to salt stress. However, further verification of these results is warranted under field conditions. |
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