TITLE:
Response of Alfalfa under Salt Stress to the Application of Potassium Sulfate Nanoparticles
AUTHORS:
Mahmoud Samir El-Sharkawy, Talaat Rizk El-Beshsbeshy, Esawy Kasem Mahmoud, Nasser Ibrahim Abdelkader, Rania Mohamed Al-Shal, Ali M. Missaoui
KEYWORDS:
Alfalfa, Nanoparticles, Salt Stress, Potassium
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.8 No.8,
July
3,
2017
ABSTRACT: A greenhouse study was
conducted to explore the effect of various rates of potassium sulfate (K2SO4)
nanoparticles on alfalfa (Medicago
sativa L.)
growth and physiological response under salt stress. One salt-tolerant genotype
(Mesa-Sirsa) and one salt-sensitive genotype (Bulldog 505) were selected based
on germination under salt and were planted in pots containing 2 kg of sand. The
two genotypes were subjected to 0 and 6 dS·m-1 salt
levels using CaCl2·2H2O: NaCl (2:1) mixed with
Hoagland solution. Three K2SO4 nanoparticle treatments
consisting of, 1/4, 1/8, and 1/10 of the potassium (K) level in full strength
Hoagland solution (235 mg·L-1) were
applied. Adding K2SO4 nanoparticles at the 1/8 level
resulted in the highest shoot dry weight, relative yield, root length and root
dry weight in both genotypes. The different rates of K2SO4 nanoparticles affected significantly Na/K ratio and the concentrations of
Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc (Zn) in
plant tissue. The application of K2SO4 nanoparticles at
the 1/8 rate enhanced the plant’s physiological response to salt stress by
reducing electrolyte leakage, increasing catalase and proline content, and
increasing antioxidant enzymes, activity. These results suggest that the
application of K nanoparticles may have better efficiency than conventional K
fertilizers in providing adequate plant nutrition and overcoming the negative
effects of salt stress in alfalfa.