Differences among solanum-species in sodium chloride tolerance in vitro

Abstract EN

Two-node explants of 69 potato species (58wild forms and 11cultivars) were grown for six weeks in a solid medium of Murashige and Skoog-salts (MS) containing different NaCl concentrations (0,40,80,120mM NaCl l-1.

NaCl tolerance was assessed by its effects on the different growth parameters of both shoot and root (length, number and fresh weight).

Large genotypic differences were apparent in NaCl tolerance, where all growth parameters were negatively affected by NaCl addition.

Shoot length appeared to be among the most sensitive indicators of NaCl injury.

The genotypes could be ranked according to the linear regression coefficient of relative shoot length over the three NaCl concentrations Root growth parameters were difficult to assess and some species showed poor root growth even without NaCl.

So they would not be suitable as a tool for a quick screening for NaCl tolerance of potato in vitro.

The shoot parameters length of the main stem of explant appeared to be more suitable for the assessment of NaCl tolerance as it is to measure and reflected clearer differences of NaCl tolerance among the species than other growth parameters.

Most of the cultivars were NaCl sensitive compared to the wild forms of potato, which may provide a source of NaCl tolerance of potato.