Photosynthetica 2019, 57(3):897-903 | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2019.093

Relationship between leaf gas-exchange characteristics and the performance of Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. seedlings subjected to salt stress

M. GORAI1,2, R. BEN ROMDHANE1, M. MARAGHNI1, M. NEFFATI1
1 Laboratory of Pastoral Ecosystems and Valorization of Spontaneous Plants and Associated Microorganisms, Arid Land Institute, University of Gabès, 4119 Médenine, Tunisia
2 Research Unit of Valorization of Active Biomolecules, Higher Institute of Applied Biology of Medenine, University of Gabes, 4119 Médenine, Tunisia

Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd., known as Christ's thorn jujube, is a multipurpose species of the Rhamnaceae family. Seedlings were subjected to various NaCl concentrations (0 to 200 mM) for 21 d. They grew well under control conditions, however, biomass production and relative growth rate decreased with increasing NaCl salinity. This decline in growth was closely associated with a reduction in photosynthetic characteristics and plant water relations. However, the intrinsic water-use efficiency significantly increased as salt stress intensified. The relative water content declined although it still maintained high values (≥ 57%). At high salinity, plants displayed more negative stem water potential (ψw) and osmotic potential values of -2.0 and -4.0 MPa, respectively. The net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance were positively correlated and the former variable also had a strong positive relationship with ψw. These findings suggest that this fruit tree is quite tolerant to NaCl-salinity during its seedling stage.

Additional key words: Ziziphus spina-christi, growth, salinity, gas exchange, water relations.

Received: March 11, 2019; Accepted: May 6, 2019; Prepublished online: July 22, 2019; Published: July 23, 2019  Show citation

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GORAI, M., BEN ROMDHANE, R., MARAGHNI, M., & NEFFATI, M. (2019). Relationship between leaf gas-exchange characteristics and the performance of Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. seedlings subjected to salt stress. Photosynthetica, 57(3), 897-903. doi: 10.32615/ps.2019.093
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