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Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Vol. 2(4) pp.099-107, July 2011. Available online http://www.globalresearchjournals.org/journal/?a=journal&id=jabs Copyright ©2011 Global Research Journals. |
Case Study.
Nutrient uptake in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown under salt stress.
By
G. C. Mgbeze* and J. O. Omodamwen
* Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City.
Corresponding Author’s E-mail:gcmgbeze@yahoo.com
Accepted 28th April 2011
| Abstract |
The determination of some macro and micro nutrients in pepper plants treated with varying concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) ranging from 0 (control) to 1000 mM NaCl was carried out. Treatments involved the daily application of 100 ml each of the concentrations to about 2.5 kg top soil in polyethylene bags containing Capsicum annuum plants after a stabilization period of four weeks. Sodium chloride treatments commenced at four weeks after planting for a period of one week followed by a break of one week and then for another period of one week. C. annum plants treated with 200 and 400 mM NaCl/kg soil all died within the first two weeks in the field. The salinity treatment significantly (P< 0.05) affected the uptake of sodium, potassium and nitrogen in components of the crop. The stem recorded the highest uptake of nutrients followed by the leaves, the roots, and then the fruits. Micro nutrients were taken up in trace quantities and the levels of iron were greater than those of chromium and zinc.
Key words: Salinity, Salt stress, Nutrients uptake, Capsicum annuum.