Assessing the impact of salt stress on Dianthus chinensis: A comprehensive analysis of morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses

The study was carried out to analyse the morphological, physiological and biochemical responses of Dianthus chinensisunder salt stress conditions during the year 2022-23 at Landscape Nursery, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Six NaCl concentrations (T1 to T6: 0 mM, 40 mM, 80 mM, 120 mM, 160 mM, and 200 mM) were applied through irrigation. Results showed an inverse relationship between relative leaf water content and a direct relationship between electrolyte leakage with increasing salinity. Proline content, SOD, POD and catalase activity rose with increasing salt till T3. Survival was 100% for control and T2, decreasing from T3. T2 exhibited maximum plant height (24.00 cm), plant spread (12.50 cm), branches per plant (7.13), leaves per plant (70.93) and leaf area (105.60 cm²), decreasing thereafter. Saline irrigation induced early bud appearance and faster full bloom. T2 also showed the maximum flowers per plant (8.80), flower size (2.39 cm), chlorophyll ‘a’ (2.36 mg/g) and chlorophyll ‘b’ (1.24 mg/g) decreasing subsequently. Results categorized Dianthus as moderately tolerant, tolerating upto 40 mM Nacl concentrations.