Influence of Salt Stress on the Nutritional State of Cordyline fruticosa var. Red Edge, 2: Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium

The aim of this trial was to study the nutritional behavior generated by modifications in the salt concentration in the nutrient solution used for the fertigation of Cordyline fruticosa var. Red Edge plants. Four treatments were tested: T1 [control, 1.5 dS m−1, 14.3 mmol L−1 sodium chloride (NaCl)]; T2 (2.5 dS m−1, 22.2 mmol L−1 NaCl); T3 (3.5 dS m−1, 32.7 mmol L−1 NaCl); and T4 (4.5 dS m−1, 38.2 mmol L−1 NaCl). There is an accumulation of sodium (Na+) in roots, stem, and petiole when salinity increases, which avoid leaf damages. Potassium (K) concentration increases with the intermediate saline treatments in stems and leaves but decreases when plants are fertigated with T4. Calcium (Ca) accumulates in roots with T3 and T4, in stems with T4, and in petioles and leaves with T3. Magnesium (Mg) concentration is greater in stems, petioles, and leaves of T4, but is greater in roots of T3. Plants fertigated with the three saline treatments extract 1.4 times more Na+ than T1 plants. The greatest K+ extraction is...