The presence of sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) in growth medium have leaded to crop growth due to because of negative effects of these ions such as changes in plant capacity of uptake, transport and use of essential nutrients. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of salinity on growth, uptake and transport of Na, Cl and macronutrients in yellow passion fruit plants. Three levels of NaCl (0, 50 and 100 m mol L-1) were tested. Experiment was finished after 50 days of growing in 2.2 dm³ pots. It was noticed that height, leaf number, leaf area and dry mass of all parts of the plant were reduced by salinity. The concentration of Na and Cl ions increased with the increasing of salinity. However, ions were retained partially in roots (Cl) and in older leaves (Na). Concentration of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and calcium (Ca) were not affected by salinity. Actually, concentration of potassium (K) was reduced in all parts of the plant while sulfur (S) was reduced only in roots. Based upon the short reduction on growth characteristics, it was concluded thatyellow passion fruit crop has a moderated tolerance to saline stress.
salinity stress; tolerance; growth; dry mass
