Effect of salt stress on nutrients content in soil and leaves of three varieties sugarcane

Abstract

The extension of the sugarcane cropping area in Indonesia is directed to saline soil, yet there is still limited information about the effect of salt stress on commercial varieties of sugarcane. A pot study was conducted at the Indonesian Sweetener and Fiber Crops Research Institute greenhouse in 2019. The objective was to investigate salinity influences on three varieties: sugarcane growth, soil nutrient content, and leaves. Treatments included three commercial sugarcane varieties (PS 881, PSJK 922, and BL) with five different watering salt concentrations (0, 2000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 ppm of NaCl solution added). Results showed that saline stress decreased the organic and available K of soil. Increasing NaCl concentration also reduced the content of N, K, and ratio K/Na of sugarcane leaves. The stalk diameter of sugarcane was also decreased under saline stress. Among the three tested sugarcane varieties, BL was the most susceptible to saline stress in relation to the most reduction in stalk diameter and ratio K/Na.