THE EVALUATION OF GRAIN AND OIL PRODUCTION, SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS OF AMARANTH ‘CV. KONIZ’ AS INFLUENCED BY THE SALT STRESS IN HYDROPONIC CONDITIONS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was investigation of salinity effect on some traits of Amaranth. A split plot designed with three replications with two factors: 5 salinity levels (control, 75, 150, 225, 300 mM NaCl) and applied time at 4 levels (plant establishment, branching, flowering, grain filling) in a greenhouse under hydroponic system. Application of 300 mM salinity after plant establishment led to death of amaranth. Salinity application after establishment decreased significantly plant height and number of branches as 44.9 and 31.8, respectively. Production of grain weight was not affected by 75 mM salinity, but at higher salinity showed significantly decrease. The highest decrease in grain weight obtained by applying 225 mM salt after the plant establishment and salinity at 300 mM after branching as 86.6 and 71.3 percent respectively, resulting in a decrease in both 1000 kernel weight and grain number, respectively. Salinity application increased H₂O₂, MDA and total phenolics contents, severely. Most of characteristics hadnot affect by 75 mM NaCl, but other concentrations had a negative effect on the growth and production of Amaranth and increasing salinity had more negative impact. In this study, the most sensitive to salinity was after plant establishment and grain filling stage was the most tolerant.