Growth, Photosynthesis and Pollen Performance in Saline Water Treated Olive Plants under High Temperature

Koubouris, Georgios C.; Tzortzakis, Nikolaos; Kourgialas, Nektarios N.; Darioti, Marina; Metzidakis, Ioannis

doi:10.4081/pb.2015.6038

Open AccessArticle

Growth, Photosynthesis and Pollen Performance in Saline Water Treated Olive Plants under High Temperature

by

Georgios C. Koubouris

^*,

Nikolaos Tzortzakis

,

Nektarios N. Kourgialas

,

Marina Darioti

and

Ioannis Metzidakis

Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Demeter” (Formerly, NAGREF—National Agricultural Research Foundation), Institute for Olive Tree and Subtropical Plants, Agrokipion, 73100 Chania, Greece

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Plant Biol. 2015, 6(1), 6038; https://doi.org/10.4081/pb.2015.6038

Submission received: 26 May 2015 / Revised: 22 June 2015 / Accepted: 22 June 2015 / Published: 30 October 2015

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Abstract

Olive cultivation in hot arid areas is hindered by the scarcity of irrigation water. The exploitation of saline water has been proposed as a solution to partially cover plant water demands. This paper presents the effects of salinity [0, 60 and 120 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)] on physiological and reproductive functions of cultivars Koroneiki and Amphissis in a closed hydroponic system. Shoot growth was markedly reduced in high salinity dose in Amphissis (−81%) and Koroneiki (−75%). The photosynthetic rate was significantly reduced at 120 mM NaCl for both cultivars, as well as chlorophyll and carotenoids content (43% and 44%, respectively). The Na+ content in all plant parts increased in both salinity doses especially in Amphissis while K concentration decreased for both cultivars. Inflorescences in Amphissis were severely damaged due to salinity. Consequently, pollen sampling and in vitro germination study was only feasible for Koroneiki. Indeed, Koroneiki pollen germination was reduced at 60 mM NaCl (−42%) and at 120 mM NaCl (−88%). Pollen tube length was also reduced by 15% and 28% for the middle and high salinity dose, respectively. The results of the present study indicate that Amphissis is more sensitive in high salinity doses compared to Koroneiki and that reproductive functions are severely affected by salinity.

Keywords: Olea europaea L.; photosynthesis; pollen germination; salinity

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MDPI and ACS Style

Koubouris, G.C.; Tzortzakis, N.; Kourgialas, N.N.; Darioti, M.; Metzidakis, I. Growth, Photosynthesis and Pollen Performance in Saline Water Treated Olive Plants under High Temperature. Int. J. Plant Biol. 2015, 6, 6038. https://doi.org/10.4081/pb.2015.6038

AMA Style

Koubouris GC, Tzortzakis N, Kourgialas NN, Darioti M, Metzidakis I. Growth, Photosynthesis and Pollen Performance in Saline Water Treated Olive Plants under High Temperature. International Journal of Plant Biology. 2015; 6(1):6038. https://doi.org/10.4081/pb.2015.6038

Chicago/Turabian Style

Koubouris, Georgios C., Nikolaos Tzortzakis, Nektarios N. Kourgialas, Marina Darioti, and Ioannis Metzidakis. 2015. "Growth, Photosynthesis and Pollen Performance in Saline Water Treated Olive Plants under High Temperature" International Journal of Plant Biology 6, no. 1: 6038. https://doi.org/10.4081/pb.2015.6038

APA Style

Koubouris, G. C., Tzortzakis, N., Kourgialas, N. N., Darioti, M., & Metzidakis, I. (2015). Growth, Photosynthesis and Pollen Performance in Saline Water Treated Olive Plants under High Temperature. International Journal of Plant Biology, 6(1), 6038. https://doi.org/10.4081/pb.2015.6038

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Growth, Photosynthesis and Pollen Performance in Saline Water Treated Olive Plants under High Temperature

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