Main Article Content
Changes in micronutrients, dry weight and plant growth of soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) cultivars under salt stress
Abstract
(Omaha, A-3127, Mancon, Stresland, LN-89-3264, NE-3297, Ap-2292, Althow, Irigious, S-4520, Amsoy-71 and Cisne) were exposed to salinity treatments (150 mM NaCl and Control). Shoot, leaf and root dry weights of all cultivars at 45-day-old plants were determined. Micronutrient contents (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) of leaves, stems and roots were also analyzed. Salinity stress negatively affected soybean cultivars and the extent of effects varied depending on the salt tolerance of the cultivars. Generally, salinity reduced the plant growth and dry weights. Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn concentrations were higher in roots
compared with those in leaves and shoots in salt applied samples. It was determined that, micronutrient contents showed some variation in different organs of soybean cultivars as a result of salt application
to growing environment. Iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) content increased in the samples with salt applications except in some cultivars. On the other hand, when mean data of cultivars were
considered, zinc (Zn) content was not significantly affected by salt stress.