In Vitro Effect of Salt Stress on Prunus Microcarpa (Potential of Being a Rootstock for All Stone Fruits) and Some Stone Fruit Rootstocks

Abstract

In this study, in vitro salinity tolerance of three Prunus microcarpa genotypes (G1, G2 and G3) selected from South East Anatolia was investigated in comparison with some of standard rootstocks (MaxMa 14, GiselA 5, Pixy, SL-64, and Garnem). To determine salinity tolerance of rootstocks, explants were cultured in vitro on Nas and Read (2004) Medium (NRM) containing 0, 50, 100 or 150 mM NaCl. Four weeks after the application of salinity treatments shoot growth, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, Proline, Lipid Peroxidation (MDA), Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) were analyzed. Salinity stress inhibited the growth and development of all genotypes in vitro and depending on genotypes the response to salinity stress varied. Under salinity stress particularly at 100 and 150 mM NaCl level Proline and H2O2 increased in all genotypes. Prunus microcarpa, especially G2 genotypes, seemed to be more tolerant to salinity stress compared to the genotypes of the other species tested. Prunus microcarpa genotypes of Turkey origin tested in this study could be used as potential rootstocks in soils suitable for fruit culture, in lightly saline soils and when irrigation water is brackish, at least as safe as the other standard rootstocks tested.

Keywords: Prunus microcarpa, salinity, rootstocks, Proline, H2O2, Lipid Peroxidation.