Morphological and Physiological Responses of Six Grape Genotypes to NaCl Salt Stress

A C T Salt contaminated areas are considered as, a critical problem in arid and semi-arid regions that limit the yield potential of agricultural crops.In the present study, NaCl salt stress susceptibility was assessed in five Jordanian grapes landraces (Salti, Zani, Red Glob, Darawishi and SoriBaladi) and B41 root stock using two levels of salt stress (6000 and 12000 ppm NaCl) in addition to the control during 2013 and 2014 growing season under controlled condition.Plant biomass (root and shoot), physiological parameters (relative water content and total chlorophyll content) and leaves mineral content were significantly (p<0.01)reduced in response to salt stress.High NaCl causes more pronounced reductions in these parameters than low NaCl treatment indicating the harmful effect of NaCl on plant biomass and physiological performance of the grape.Proline accumulated two and three time more under low and high salinity treatment than their respective control.The interactive effects of genotype and salt level treatment were significant (p<0.01) on plant biomass, mineral content and physiological parameter indicating, high level of variability exists among studied grape genotypes in response to salt stress.The lowest reductions in plant biomass and physiological parameters were recorded in Salti and Darawishi and consequently they could be considered as potential donors for genes for salt stress tolerance.