Comparative Evaluation of Salt Tolerance in Four Self-Rooted Hazelnut (<i>Corylus avellana</i> L. and <i>Corylus americana</i> Walter) Cultivars
Rising soil salinity poses a significant challenge to hazelnut cultivation, particularly in Mediterranean regions, where the increasing use of low-quality irrigation water necessitates the identification of salt-tolerant cultivars for sustainable production. This study investigated the salt toleranc...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Xavier Rius-Garcia María Videgain-Marco José Casanova-Gascón Luis Acuña-Rello Pablo Martín-Ramos |
| author_facet | Xavier Rius-Garcia María Videgain-Marco José Casanova-Gascón Luis Acuña-Rello Pablo Martín-Ramos |
| author_sort | Xavier Rius-Garcia |
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| description | Rising soil salinity poses a significant challenge to hazelnut cultivation, particularly in Mediterranean regions, where the increasing use of low-quality irrigation water necessitates the identification of salt-tolerant cultivars for sustainable production. This study investigated the salt tolerance mechanisms in four hazelnut cultivars (Barcelona, Tonda di Giffoni, Tonda Gentile Romana, and Yamhill) exposed to varying NaCl concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 75 mM) over five months. This research assessed their morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses through an analysis of their growth parameters, photosynthetic efficiency, visual symptoms, and ion content. The results revealed significant genotypic variation in their salt tolerance mechanisms. Tonda di Giffoni demonstrated superior salt tolerance, maintaining a higher photosynthetic efficiency and better ion balance, particularly in K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca<sup>2</sup>⁺/Na⁺ ratios. Barcelona showed moderate tolerance at lower salinity levels but declined sharply under higher stress. Yamhill exhibited a strong survival capacity despite its poor photosynthetic performance, while Tonda Gentile Romana proved most sensitive to salinity stress. All the cultivars showed a significant biomass reduction, with their fresh and dry weights decreasing by over 80% at 75 mM NaCl. Leaf chloride concentrations dramatically increased, reaching levels 481% higher than those in the control conditions. This study identifies Tonda di Giffoni as the most suitable cultivar for moderately saline conditions and provides insights into hazelnut salt tolerance mechanisms, contributing valuable information for breeding programs and cultivation strategies in salt-affected regions. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-c79d4a4bf7b84d4c94631ba23b469d892025-01-24T13:16:56ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-01-0115114810.3390/agronomy15010148Comparative Evaluation of Salt Tolerance in Four Self-Rooted Hazelnut (<i>Corylus avellana</i> L. and <i>Corylus americana</i> Walter) CultivarsXavier Rius-Garcia0María Videgain-Marco1José Casanova-Gascón2Luis Acuña-Rello3Pablo Martín-Ramos4Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Ctra. Cuarte s/n, 22071 Huesca, SpainDepartment of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Ctra. Cuarte s/n, 22071 Huesca, SpainDepartment of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, University of Zaragoza, Ctra. Cuarte s/n, 22071 Huesca, SpainDepartment of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering, ETSIIAA, University of Valladolid, Avda. Madrid 44, 34004 Palencia, SpainDepartment of Agricultural and Forestry Engineering, ETSIIAA, University of Valladolid, Avda. Madrid 44, 34004 Palencia, SpainRising soil salinity poses a significant challenge to hazelnut cultivation, particularly in Mediterranean regions, where the increasing use of low-quality irrigation water necessitates the identification of salt-tolerant cultivars for sustainable production. This study investigated the salt tolerance mechanisms in four hazelnut cultivars (Barcelona, Tonda di Giffoni, Tonda Gentile Romana, and Yamhill) exposed to varying NaCl concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 75 mM) over five months. This research assessed their morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses through an analysis of their growth parameters, photosynthetic efficiency, visual symptoms, and ion content. The results revealed significant genotypic variation in their salt tolerance mechanisms. Tonda di Giffoni demonstrated superior salt tolerance, maintaining a higher photosynthetic efficiency and better ion balance, particularly in K⁺/Na⁺ and Ca<sup>2</sup>⁺/Na⁺ ratios. Barcelona showed moderate tolerance at lower salinity levels but declined sharply under higher stress. Yamhill exhibited a strong survival capacity despite its poor photosynthetic performance, while Tonda Gentile Romana proved most sensitive to salinity stress. All the cultivars showed a significant biomass reduction, with their fresh and dry weights decreasing by over 80% at 75 mM NaCl. Leaf chloride concentrations dramatically increased, reaching levels 481% higher than those in the control conditions. This study identifies Tonda di Giffoni as the most suitable cultivar for moderately saline conditions and provides insights into hazelnut salt tolerance mechanisms, contributing valuable information for breeding programs and cultivation strategies in salt-affected regions.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/1/148abiotic stression homeostasisphotosynthetic efficiencygenetic variabilitychlorophyll fluorescencemineral content |
| spellingShingle | Xavier Rius-Garcia María Videgain-Marco José Casanova-Gascón Luis Acuña-Rello Pablo Martín-Ramos Comparative Evaluation of Salt Tolerance in Four Self-Rooted Hazelnut (<i>Corylus avellana</i> L. and <i>Corylus americana</i> Walter) Cultivars Agronomy abiotic stress ion homeostasis photosynthetic efficiency genetic variability chlorophyll fluorescence mineral content |
| title | Comparative Evaluation of Salt Tolerance in Four Self-Rooted Hazelnut (<i>Corylus avellana</i> L. and <i>Corylus americana</i> Walter) Cultivars |
| title_full | Comparative Evaluation of Salt Tolerance in Four Self-Rooted Hazelnut (<i>Corylus avellana</i> L. and <i>Corylus americana</i> Walter) Cultivars |
| title_fullStr | Comparative Evaluation of Salt Tolerance in Four Self-Rooted Hazelnut (<i>Corylus avellana</i> L. and <i>Corylus americana</i> Walter) Cultivars |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparative Evaluation of Salt Tolerance in Four Self-Rooted Hazelnut (<i>Corylus avellana</i> L. and <i>Corylus americana</i> Walter) Cultivars |
| title_short | Comparative Evaluation of Salt Tolerance in Four Self-Rooted Hazelnut (<i>Corylus avellana</i> L. and <i>Corylus americana</i> Walter) Cultivars |
| title_sort | comparative evaluation of salt tolerance in four self rooted hazelnut i corylus avellana i l and i corylus americana i walter cultivars |
| topic | abiotic stress ion homeostasis photosynthetic efficiency genetic variability chlorophyll fluorescence mineral content |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/1/148 |
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