Effect of salinity and silicon on root characteristics, growth, water status, proline content and ion accumulation of purslane (Portulaca oleraceaL.)

Abstract

In order to study the effects of salinity and silicon application on root characteristics, growth, proline content, leaf and root ion accumulation of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), a greenhouse experiment was conducted at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. The experiment was carried out in a split plot design in which levels of salinity (0, 120 and 240 mM) were allocated as main plots and silicon application of 1 mM sodium silicate and no application assigned as subplots with three replications. The results indicated that salinity caused a reduction in root growth (volume, area, diameter, total and main length and root dry weight), and shoot biomass accumulation. Both root and leaf sodium (Na) content and leaf proline content increased with increasing salinity. Leaf and root potassium (K) content decreased with increasing salinity. Application of silicon improved root area, root dry weight, and leaf and root K content in the presence of salinity. It also caused a significant reduction in leaf Na content and consequently improved the K/Na ratio in leaves. Based on these results, P. oleracea has the capacity to grow in salt stress conditions and could be considered as a medicinal and vegetable for growth in harsh environments.