Response to Different Concentrations of Potassium Chloride in Tomato Plants Under Salt Stress
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59741/agri.v5i1.56Keywords:
Salinity; KCl; tolerance; growth.Abstract
Salinity in global horticulture is a severe problem that negatively impacts crop productivity and quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of KCl in nutrient solutions prepared with purified and hard water on tomato plants. Steiner solutions supplemented with 3, 6, and 9 mmol of KCl were used in both water types. Calcium, potassium, and sodium concentrations in petioles were measured, along with the incidence of blossom end rot (BER), nitrate content, total chlorophyll (SPAD), antioxidant activity (IC50), stomatal conductance, and root dry weight. The results indicated that the treatment with 3 mmol of KCl in purified water promoted higher potassium levels, improved stomatal conductance, increased root biomass, and lower antioxidant activity (lower IC50), suggesting reduced oxidative stress. Sodium accumulation was more pronounced in treatments with hard water, although it did not severely affect plant physiology, possibly due to ionic exclusion or compartmentalization mechanisms. An inverse relationship was observed between calcium content in petioles and BER incidence, especially under higher KCl concentrations, suggesting an antagonism between K⁺ and Ca²⁺. Total chlorophyll was higher in plants treated with solutions prepared with purified water, reflecting improved photosynthetic efficiency under conditions of lower water hardness and optimal K supply.
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