Changes of Growth, Amino Acids, and Ionic Composition in Strawberry Plants under Salt Stress Conditions

Seedlings of two strawberry cultivars 'Camarosa' and 'Chandler' were grown using perlite in a greenhouse for 20 days, and then plants were watered with nutrient solution containing 0, 8.5, 17.0, and 34.0mM sodium chloride (NaCl) for 6 months. Sodium chloride treatments generally reduced the leaf and root dry weight. Relative water content (RWC) of leaves was maintained despite the increased salt concentrations while loss of turgidity was increased by sodium chloride (NaCl) treatments in both cultivars. As the most variable amino acids, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, arginine, proline, serine, and alanine were determined under salt stress in plants. Sodium chloride treatments generally increased sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) contents in all plant parts. The plants were able to maintain high potassium (K) levels in the aerial parts with the 8.5mM NaCl treatment. It can be concluded that 'Camarosa' has the ability to osmotic regulation. 'Chandler' also tolerates the salt injury at low salt concentrations.