Effect of salt stress on mortality, reduction in root growth and distribution of mineral nutrients in Kurukkan mango at nursery stage

Seedlings of polyembryonic Kurukkan mango were tested against graded levels of soil salinity developed by two different salt compositions. Chloride dominated salt caused significantly more mortality of seedlings than sulphate dominated salt at each level of soil salinity. Seedlings could not survive beyond 4.22 dS/mafter 40 days of salinization. However, in sulphate dominated salt, seedlings survived at 6.21 dS/m up to 60 days. Root growth in terms of length, number of secondary roots and fresh and dry weight decreased with the increasing salinity levels in both salt combinations. Minimum number of secondary roots (0.40 roots/plant) was found in chloride dominated salt at 4.22 dS/m. There was significant increase in tissue chloride level with the increasing salinity levels in all fractions of Kurukkan seedlings in both salt combinations. The accumulation of sodium was found to be higher in roots. Potassium content in all parts decreased significantly in both salt combinations. However, this decrease was more pronounced in treatment having chloride dominance.