Effect of salinity and zinc on physiological and nutritional responses of rosemary

A b s t r a c t. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc nutrition on growth, leaf relative water content, membrane permeability, and nutrient uptake of rosemary grown under saline condition. A factorial arranged hydroponics experiment with 3 salinity levels, and 3 levels of zinc was performed. At 0 and 2 µM Zn levels, salinity significantly decreased the leaf relative water content. Salinity treatment increased membrane permeability, Na, Cl and P uptake, accompanied by significant decreases in plant growth, relative water content, and K, Ca and Mg concentration. These changes were greater at the 0 and 2 µM Zn levels compared to the 4 µM Zn treatment. Increases in Zn concentration from 0 µM to 2 and 4 µM counteracted the deleterious effect of salinity on relative water content, membrane permeability and ion uptake. The results showed that Zn nutrition is involved in maintaining of membrane permeability and ion-selective uptake which could improve or accelerate the adaptation of rosemary to salt stress. K e y w o r d s: rosemary, salt stress, zinc nutrition, oxidative damage, nutrient uptake