| The effects of salt stress on some physiological and biochemical traits were evaluated in dwarf-cashew seedlings at the same developmental stage. Seeds were sown in trays containing vermiculite moistened with distilled water or with NaCl solutions having different electrical conductivities: 0.7, 1.8, 6.0, 9.8, 13.4, 17.4 and 20.6 dS m-1. Salinity delayed and inhibited seedling growth and development, particularly in the shoot. Concentrations of Na+ and Cl-, but not of K+, increased with increasing stress severity. With the exception of proline, concentration of organic solutes was only marginally affected by salt stress. Catalase activity in leaves increased slightly as a result of salt stress, whereas guaiacol peroxidase activity was induced only under... |
