Morphological and physio-biochemical screening of rose (Rosa indica L.) cultivars against salt stress

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to examine
the effect of exogenous application of NaCl on growth,
associated biochemical characters, and ionic compositions
in rose genotypes grown under different levels of salt
stress. In pot experiment, salt concentrations 0, 2, 4, 6, 8,
and 10 dS m
-1 were applied through foliar spray on rose
cultivars i.e. Sunset, Golden Giant, Fragrant, Blue Moon,
Paradise, Superstar, Happiness, Gladiator, Avon, Sea
Shell, Double Delight, Sterling Silver, Mischief, King’s
Ransom and First Prize . Morphological and physiological
growth attributes (shoot length, root length, leaf area, fresh
and dry weight), chlorophyll contents, photosynthesis,
transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and biochemical
attributes i.e. proline and glycine betaine and ions sodium
and chloride were recorded to study the effects of these
treatments. Salt stress significantly reduced morphological and biochemical attributes. However, proline, glycine betaine,
and both ions Na and Cl significantly increased with the
increase in salinity level. In this study, cv. Blue Moon was
found more salt-tolerant variety as it showed maximum shoot
length (27.47 cm), plant fresh weight (61.68 g), plant dry
weight (15.42 g) and plant leaf area (18.85 cm2
). Plant
chlorophyll contents (51.80%), plant photosynthesis rate
(44.31%), transpiration rate (44.68%), stomatal conductance
(35.15%) were reduced in salt-treated plants as compared to
control. However, proline contents (34.02%), glycine betaine
(93.88 %), Na +
(345.22 %) and Cl ions (171.39 %) increased
with the increase in salinity level. The Sterling Silver cultivar
was found to be the salt sensitive which showed maximum
reduction in morphological and biochemical attributes out of
15 cultivars. Results suggested that cv. Blue Moon is a salttolerant cultivar and can be grown in the salinity affected areas
without marked effects on aesthetic appearance and
productions. © 2020 Department of Agricultural Sciences,
AIOU