Mineral nutrient composition in leaf and root tissues of fifteen polyembryonic mango genotypes, grown under varying levels of salinity

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a salt sensitive crop and its cultivation in salt affected area is declining day by day. There is a need to find out the rootstocks to sustain under saline conditions which can be used for commercial cultivation of superior cultivars through grafting. To achieve this, the present study was carried out to understand the salt tolerance and sensitive nature of fifteen polyembryonic mango rootstock seedlings (EC-95862, Bappakkai, Vellaikolamban, Nekkare, Turpentine, Muvandan, Kurukkan, Kensington, Olour, Manipur, Deorakhio, Vattam, Mylepelian, Sabre and Kitchener) which were exposed to 0 mM, 25 mM, 50 mM and 100 mM concentration of NaCl+CaCl2 (1:1) salt. The outcome of this study revealed that there was reduction in K+, Ca++, Mg++, Fe++ and Zn++ while the content of Cu++ and Mn++ in both leaf and root tissues were found to increase with gradual increase in salt concentration from 0 to 100 mM. The overall results of this study revealed that the salinity stress caused the alterations in mineral nutrient composition of polyembryonic mango genotypes. Among the fifteen genotypes the seedlings of Turpentine, Deorakhio, Olour and Bappakkai respond better in maintaining the mineral nutrient status in leaf and root tissues under higher level of salinity.