Comparative Physiological Analysis of Salinity Effects in Six Olive Genotypes

Abstract

Changes caused by NaCl salinity on growth, gas exchange, chemical composition, and oxidative stress symptoms have been measured in six olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars (Casta Cabra, Cornicabra, Frantoio, Ocal, Picual, and Picudo) grown in nutrient solution in a growth chamber pot experiment. Six-month-old plants were transplanted to a sand–perlite culture and irrigated with half-strength Hoagland nutrient solution containing 0 and 200 mm NaCl for 12 weeks. Salinity significantly depressed growth and leaf gas exchange, but to a different degree in each cultivar, Picudo was the cultivar that showed less growth inhibition. The effectiveness of Na+ exclusion mechanism in the roots differed significantly among studied cultivars, working effectively in ‘Ocal’ and ‘Picudo’ and being less efficient in ‘Picual’. Furthermore, ‘Picudo’ showed the ability to maintain the concentration of leaf K+ under the stress condition. ‘Ocal’ accumulated phenolic compounds and did not reduce carotenoid or total thiol concentration under saline stress. Between the cultivars studied, ‘Picudo’ and ‘Ocal’ were the most tolerant.