Abstract
ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to characterize the physiological acclimation responses of young plants of the dwarf coconut cultivar Jiqui Green‘ associated with tolerance to conditions of multiple abiotic stresses (drought and soil salinity), acting either independently or in combination. The study was conducted under controlled conditions and evaluated the following parameters: leaf gas exchange, quantum yield of chlorophyll a fluorescence, and relative contents of total chlorophyll (SPAD index). The experiment was conducted under a randomized block experimental design, in a split plot arrangement. In the plots, plants were exposed to different levels of water stress, by imposing potential crop evapotranspiration replacement levels equivalent to 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20%, whereas in subplots, plants were exposed to different levels of soil salinity (1.72, 6.25, 25.80, and 40.70 dS m-1). Physiological mechanisms were effectively limited when water deficit and salinity acted separately and/or together. Compared with soil salinity, water stress was more effective in reducing the measured physiological parameters. The magnitudes of the responses of plants to water supply and salinity depended on the intensity of stress and evaluation period. The physiological acclimation responses of plants were mainly related to stomatal regulation. The coconut tree has a number of physiological adjustment mechanisms that give the species partial tolerance to drought stress and/or salt, thereby enabling it to revegetate salinated areas, provided that its water requirements are at least partially met.
Highlights
Despite an ever-increasing need for plant-based food, fiber, and energy, there remain vast areas of the world that have unfavorable environmental conditions for plant growth
The use of plants that can tolerate high salt concentrations in the soil can be adopted as a strategy to transform barren areas into areas suitable for agricultural cultivation (SABRA; DAAYF; RENAULT, 2012)
The objective of the present study was to characterize the physiological responses of Dwarf coconut palm saplings associated with their tolerance to multiple abiotic stressors, acting either in isolation or in combination, to elucidate the possible acclimatization strategies adopted by plants during the early stages of their growth
Summary
Despite an ever-increasing need for plant-based food, fiber, and energy, there remain vast areas of the world that have unfavorable environmental conditions for plant growth. This includes areas in which the soil and atmosphere are too dry and areas with high soil salinity, which are unsuitable for agriculture. The use of plants that can tolerate high salt concentrations in the soil can be adopted as a strategy to transform barren areas (which are either naturally saline, or where salinity has been artificially increased by inadequate management of soil and water resources) into areas suitable for agricultural cultivation (SABRA; DAAYF; RENAULT, 2012). Coconut cultivation is an important activity in Brazil, and in this region, and in recent years it has seen significant growth worldwide (not just in Latin America) (SOUSA et al, 2011)
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