CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY GIORGOS DIMITRIOU PANAGIOTAKIS. RESPONSE OF FOUR GRAFTED EGGPLANTS TO NaCl SALINITY

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1 1 CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY GIORGOS DIMITRIOU PANAGIOTAKIS RESPONSE OF FOUR GRAFTED EGGPLANTS TO NCl SALINITY CRANFIELD HEALTH PhD THESIS 2013 Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

2 2 CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY Shool of Helth Ademi Yers GIORGOS D. PANAGIOTAKIS The iohemistry nd physiology of different hyrid nd grfted eggplnts in response to NCL slinity in soil nd hydroponi systems. Supervisors: Assistnt Prof. Drgsski Mgdlene (TEI of Crete) Dr. Aldred Dvid (Crnfield University) Deemer 2013 This thesis is sumitted in prtisl fulfilment of the requirements For the degree of Dotor of Philosophy Crnfield University All rights reserved. No prt of this pulition my Be reprodued without the written permission of the opyright owner. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

3 3 Astrt The mjor prolem of slinity n regions of intensive ultivtions suh s Ierpetr, hs strted to ffet the rop prodution. This projet ws designed to study the effets of slinity on severl iohemil nd physiologil prmeters in two hyrids of eggplnt s grfted nd non-grfted. The two hyrids were the Solnum melongen L hyrid Hn nd Solnum melongen L hyrid Vernin. The onentrtions tht were hosen ( , 50, 100, 150 nd 200mM) represent sle of slt onentrtion nd were ultivted s self rooted plnts in soil, hydroponilly nd hydroponilly s grfted. Grfting lso seems to ply n importnt role for slinity tolerne. To orroorte the different prmeters were used s inditors of slinity ffetion nd quntified. Plnt height nd numer of leves were ffeted in ll three experiments nd for ll plnt types whether grfted or not. Similr were the results for the dry nd fresh weight of stem leves nd fruits. For the physiologil funtion of the plnts ftors suh s hlorophyll fluoresene nd photosyntheti rte were ffeted espeilly t higher onentrtions of NCL. The hlorophyll ontent in the leves, whih ws lso mesured, ws negtively ffeted in ll hyrids. Biohemil mesurements the K nd N onentrtions in dry leves nd the enzyme tivity of APX, GPX nd SOD were lso mde. The K nd N ion onentrtions were similr with other studies presenting redution of K nd rise of N s the onentrtion of slt ws rising. Unfortuntely the enzyme tivity ws not ffeted t the speifi experiment so it ws not le to find extly how the slinity ffets this ftor. Overll the results of grfted plnts were etter thn s self rooted nd the Solno torvum plnt used s rootstok is more tolernt thn the Tomto Resistr lso used s rootstok. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

4 4 Aknowledgements I would like to express my deepest ppreition nd grtitude to my supervisors Assistnt Professor Drgski Mgdlene for her help, guidne, nd support nd to Dr. Aldred Dvid for his help, throughout of this thesis. I would like lso to thnk ll of the Professors of the Tehnologil Edutionl Institute of Crete for their help nd the T.E.I. of Crete for lloying me to use the lortories nd equipment. Mny thnks to my ollegues nd friends, espeilly to Ntin nd Pelgi for their vlule help. Finlly my grteful thnks to my fmily nd to my wife Sofi. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

5 5 List of Contents Astrt 3 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION Generl Introdution THESIS STRUCTURE LITERATUREREVIEW Solnum melongen L EGGPLANT CULTIVATIONS Slinity Effets of slinity on plnts Effets of slinity on the growth of plnts EFFECTS OF SALINITY ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE PLANTS Photosyntheti rte Chlorophyll ontent Chlorophyll fluoresene Effets of slinity on ion levels Effets of slinity on ntioxidnt enzyme tivity Wter reltions Effet of slinity on eggplnts Grfting nd the role of grfting to improve slt tolerne Aim nd ojetives of the present work Aim Ojetives MATERIALS AND METHODS Desription of the experimentl work Experiment of self rooted sions nd rootstoks in soil Experiment of self rooted sions nd rootstoks in perlite Experiment with grfted eggplnts in perlite Mesured prmeters Sttistil Anlysis Plnt height Effet of Nl tretments on t numer of leves Effet of NCl tretments on Chlorophyll ontent Effet of NCl onentrtions on the hlorophyll fluoresene Effet of NCl tretments on Photosyntheti rte. 50 Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

6 Fresh nd dry weight K nd Cl onentrtion HYDROPONIC CULTURE IN PERLITE Plnt height Effet of Nl tretments in numer of leves Effet of NCl tretments on Chlorophyll ontent Effet of NCl tretments on Photosyntheti rte Fresh nd dry weight K nd Cl onentrtion Plnt height Effet of NCl tretments on Chlorophyll ontent Effet of NCl onentrtions on the hlorophyll fluoresene Effet of NCl tretments on Photosyntheti rte Fresh nd dry weight K nd Cl onentrtion Enzyme tivity DISCUSION Generl onlusions nd future work REFERENCES. 108 Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

7 7 List of Figures Pltes. Plte 2.1 Tskoniki eggplnt, (Leonidiou).. 21 Plte 3.1. The LI- 6400XT_md Tles. Tle 2.1. N + nd Cl - exlusion nd inlusion in grfted vegetles. 30 Tle Antioxidnt s mrkers of slinity tolerne Tle 3.1. Nutrient solution used for irrigtion Tlet 3.2. Sions nd roots stoks of. third experiment Tlet 3.3. Mesurements for eh experiment Tle Tle Tle 4.4: Effet of NCl on totl tivity of APX in leves.. 97 Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

8 8 Tle 4.5: Effet of NCl on totl tivity of GPX in leves.. 97 Tle 4.6: Effet of NCl on totl tivity of POD in leves.. 98 Figures. Fig.2.2. Antioxidnt network in different orgnelles of the plnt ell Fig.2.3. Tongue pproh grfting Fig 4.1. Men effet of the irrigtion wter slinity on the verge height (m) of self rooted Hn nd Vernin plnts Fig 4.2. Effet of the irrigtion wter slinity on the verge height (m) of Solnum torvum nd Tomto Figure 4.3. Comprison of different NCl onentrtions in the irrigtion wter on the height of self rooted eggplnt (Solnum melongen) hyrids Hn,nd Vernin nd two ommonly used rootstoks Solnum lyopersion, hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum,.. 42 Fig.4.4 Effet of slinity on the verge numer of fully developed leves Fig 4.5 Effet of slinity on the verge numer of fully developed leves Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

9 9 Figure 4.6 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the numer of leves of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two (not grfted) rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) Fig 4.7 Effet of slinity on the verge hlorophyll ontent of leves Hn nd Vernin eggplnts Fig 4.8 Effet of slinity in the verge hlorophyll ontent of Solnum torvum nd tomto leves ultured in soil Fig 4.8 Effet of slinity in the verge hlorophyll ontent of Solnum torvum nd tomto leves ultured in soil Fig 4.10 Effet of slinity on the verge hlorophyll fluoresene in leves of Hn nd Vernin eggplnts ultured in soil..48 Fig 4.11 Effet of slinity on the verge hlorophyll fluoresene in leves of Solnum torvum nd tomto eggplnts ultured in soil Figure 4.12 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the hlorophyl fluoresene in leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two (non grfted) rootstoks (Tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum).. 50 Figure Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the photosyntheti rte in leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two (non grfted) rootstoks Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

10 (Tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum).. 51 Figure 4.14 Effet of NCl irrigted on the fresh weight of leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd (non grfted) rootstoks (Tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) Figure 4.15 Effet of irrigted NCl on the dry weight of leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two (non grfted) rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum)...53 Figure 4.16 Effet of NCl on the fresh weight of fruits of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two (non grfted) rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum)...54 Figure 4.17 Effet of irrigted NCl on the dry weight of fruits of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two(non grfted) rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum)...55 Figure 4.18 Effet of irrigted NCl on stem fresh weight of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum). 56 Figure 4.19 Effet of irrigted NCl on the dry weight of stem of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum)..56 Figure 4.20 Effet of irrigtted NCl on the K + onentrtion of tissue of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum). 57 Figure 4.21 Effet of NCl Effet of irrigtted NCl on the N onentrtion of tissue of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) Fig 4.22 Effet on the verge height (m) of Hn nd Vernin eggplnts Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

11 11 Fig 4.23 Effet of the irrigtion wter slinity on the verge height (m) of Solnum torvum nd tomto fter ulture in perlite Figure 4.24 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the height of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two future rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) Fig.4.25 Effet of slinity on the verge numer of fully developed leves of Hn nd Vernin eggplnts fter ulture in perlite Fig 4.26 Effet of slinity on the verge numer of fully developed leves of Solnum torvum nd tomto fter ulture in perlite Fig 4.27 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the verge numer of fully developed leves of hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) Fig 4.28 Effet of slinity in the verge hlorophyll ontent of Hn leves in period of seven weeks in perlite Fig 4.28 Effet of slinity in the verge hlorophyll ontent of Solnum torvum nd tomto.. 66 Figure 4.29 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the hlorophyl ontent of leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two non rfted rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum ). 67 Fig 4.30 Effet of slinity on the verge hlorophyll fluoresene in leves of Hn nd Vernin eggplnts 68 Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

12 Fig 4.31 Effet of slinity on the verge numer of hlorophyll fluoresene of Solnum torvum nd tomtoe. 68 Figure 4.32 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the hlorophyl fluoresene of leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum). 69 Figure 4.33 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the photosyntheti rte of leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum). 70 Figure 4.35 Effet of irrigted NCl on the fresh weight of leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum)..71 Figure 4.36 Effet of NCl on the dry weight of leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) 71 Figure 4.37 Effet of NCl on the fresh weight of fruits of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) 72 Figure 4.38 Effet of NCl on the dry weight of fruits of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum)..73 Figure 4.39 Effet of irrigted NCl on the stem fresh weight of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum)..73 Figure 4.40 Effet of irrigted NCl on the stem dry weight of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) 74 Figure 4.41 Effet of irrigted NCl on the K onentrtion of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two future rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum)...75 Figure 4.42 Effet of NCl on the N onentrtion of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two future rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum).76 Fig 4.43 Effet of the irrigtion wter slinity on the verge height of Hn/S.torvum Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, nd

13 Vernin/S.torvum. 78 Fig 4.44 Effet of the irrigtion wter slinity on the verge height of Hn/tomto nd 13 Vernin/tomto eggplnts 79 Figure 4.45 Effet of NCl on the height of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) 80 Fig.4.36 Effet of slinity on the verge numer of fully developed leves of Hn/S.torvum Vernin/S.torvum. 81 Fig 4.37 Effet of slinity on the verge numer of fully developed leves of Hn/tomto nd Vernin/tomto eggplnts 82 Figure 4.38 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions in the verge numer of fully developed leves of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum)...83 Fig 4.39 Effet of slinity in the verge hlorophyll ontent of Hn/S.torvum nd Vernin/S.torvum eggplnts.. 84 Fig 4.40 Effet of slinity in the verge hlorophyll ontent of leves of Hn/tomto Vernin/tomto. 85 Figure 4.40 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions in the verge numer of hlorophyll ontent of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) on grfted rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) 86 Fig 4.41 Effet of slinity on the lef hlorophyll fluoresene of Hn/S.torvum nd nd nd Vernin/S.torvum eggplnts. 87 Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

14 Fig 4.42 Effet of slinity on the lef hlorophyll fluoresene of Hn/Resistr eggplnts.. 88 Figure 4.43 ffet of NCl on the lef hlorophyl fluoresene of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on differend rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum)...89 Figure 4.44 Effet of NCl on the lef photosyntheti rte of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum)..90 Figure 4.45 Effet of NCl on the fresh weight of leves of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum)..91 Figure 4.46 Effet of NCl on the dry weight of leves of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum)..91 Figure 4.47 Effet of NCl on the fresh weight of fruits of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum). 92 Figure 4.48 Effet of NCl on the fresh weight of fruits of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) on grfted rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum).. 93 Figure 4.49 Effet of NCl on the dry weight of fruits of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum). 94 Figure 4.50 Effet of NCl on the fresh weight of stem of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum). 94 Figure 4.51 Effet of NCl on the dry weight of stem of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum)..95 Figure 4.52 Effet of NCl on the K onentrtion of tissues of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) Figure 4.53 Effet of NCl on N onentrtion of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) on grfted rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

15 15 Notion % per ent ο C APX ANOVA C C +2 CCl 2 Cl - CO 2 Cu D.W. E.C. et l. Fe Fm Fo Fv F.W. degrees Clius Asorte Peroxidse nlysis of vrine Cron Clium Clium Chloride Chlorium Cron Dioxide Copper dry weight Eletril Condutivity nd others Iron Mximum Fluoresene Bsl Fluoresene Vrile Fluoresene Fresh Weight g. grmmr GPX Glutthione Peroxidse Ci Interellulr CO 2 Conentrtion K + m 2 Mg +2 mg/ l mg/ml MgCl 2 min mm mm Mn Potssium squre meter Mgnessium milligrm/liter milligrm/mole Mgnessium Chloride minutes milimeters milimole Mngnese Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

16 16 Mo N + NCl nm PSII POD ph Po ROS se sig. gs SOD w/v v/v Led Sodium Sodium Chloride nnometer Photosntheti System II peroxidse Power of Hydrogen (mesure of the tivity or siity of solution) Photosyntheti rte Retive Oxygen Speies seonds signifine Stomtl Condutne Superoxide Dismutse weight/volume volume/volume Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

17 Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis,

18 18 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Generl Introdution The ity of Ierpetr it is loted on the south-est ost of the islnd of Crete on the Liyn Se. It hs pproximtely 20,000 residents with the min ouption eing the ulture of greenhouse food produts. The limte in Ierpetr is quite wrm. Temperture rnges from 5 0 to 40 0 C with on verge 20 0 C. Averge hours of sunshine per month re 265 h. The summertime is dry nd the winter is mild. Beuse of these prtiulr limti onditions Ierpetr nd Messr lso in South Crete, were the first regions where the ll yer- greenhouse food prodution of vegetles nd flowers ws developed. The 13,000 res of greenhouses re minly ultivted with tomto (the higher perentge) nd the remining with eggplnt, pepper, uumer nd ourgette, in metl frmed pssively ventilted greenhouses overed with polyethylene. However the inresed nd intensive ulture of these produts hs resulted in n importnt prolem. The exessive onsumption of wter hs led to the drining of the groundwter horizon. The lols tried to solve the prolem y ssemling wter from djent rivers nd springs with the onstrution of dm nd n rtifiil lke, whih ws initilly ttended to the irrigtion shortges of the region. However in the dry yers, the wter of the lke is not enough so wter from lrge sefloor spring is direted into the dm. Although the wter from the spring is of good qulity, during the pumping it is mixed with sewter nd eomes mrginlly suitle for irrigtion for olive groves nd other tolernt plnts. When mixed with the wter of the rtifiil lke, the qulity of the resulting wter is etter ut not without prolems prtiulrly in the summer months. Thus this inrese in slinity in the irrigtion wter is using vrious prolems in the greenhouse ulture of most vegetles, minly using the deresed qulity of produts nd redution in prodution Yield. This projet ws designed to study the effets of slinity on severl iohemil nd physiologil prmeters in two hyrids of eggplnt. The two hyrids were the Solnum melongen L hyrid Hn nd Solnum melongen L hyrid Vernin. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

19 THESIS STRUCTURE. The thesis is omposed in six hpters. Chpter 1. Introdution nd thesis struture. This hpter ontins smll desription of the region of Ierpetr, the eggplnt nd the ultivtion of the eggplnt nd the thesis struture. Chpter 2: Literture review. This hpter is literture review of the slinity nd the prolems tht our in ultivted plnts. The ffet of slinity on eggplnt plnts, plnt growth, photosyntheti rte, ntioxidnt enzyme tivity, mro nd miro nutrients et. Also the importne of grfting in eggplnt nd in plnts generlly. Chpter 3. Mterils nd methods. A thesis struture nd detils for eh experiment nd the methods tht ws used. Chpter 4. This Chpter presents Experiment 1. Self rooted plnts of Solnum melongen L hyrid Hn nd Solnum melongen L hyrid Vernin, Solnum torvum nd Solnum lyopersium L hyrid Resistr in soil, treted with the onentrtions of , 50, 100, 150 nd 200mM. Chpter 5. Self rooted plnts of Solnum melongen L hyrid Hn nd Solnum melongen L hyrid Vernin, Solnum torvum nd Solnum lyopersium L hyrid Resistr in perlite, treted with the onentrtions of , 50, 100, 150 nd 200mM. Chpter 6. Grfted plnts of Solnum melongen L hyrid Hn nd Solnum melongen L hyrid Vernin s sions nd Solnum torvum nd Solnum lyopersium L hyrid Resistr s rootstoks, in perlite, treted with the onentrtions of , 50, 100, 150 nd 200mM. Chpter 7. This presents the generl onlusions from the experiments nd suggested future work. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

20 20 2. LITERATUREREVIEW 2.1 Solnum melongen L. The eggplnt (Solnum melongen) elongs in the fmily of Solnee; it originted in Indi nd ws trnsported into Europe y the Ars. It is ultivted for its fruit whih is one of the si omponents of the Mediterrnen diet. The Agriulturl Reserh Servie of the USDA, reports tht eggplnts ontin high perentges of phenoli ntioxidnts. Most importnt of these is hlorogeni id, whih ording to reserhers n lok the retion of rinogeni nitrosmintes nd derese the dnger of ertin types of ner suh s liver nd intestinl. 2.2 EGGPLANT CULTIVATIONS It is n hereous plnt with vertil growth hit with urgeoning top. Its leves re ig, lterntely on the stem. The flowers hve ll the mle nd femle reprodutive prts nd they grow solitrily on the shoot. The fruit of eggplnt is ovl or ylindril nd vries in size depending on the vriety. The olour of the fruit n e purple, deep purple, purple with white lines, deep or light lue, white or even yellow in some vrieties. The flesh of the fruit is spongy nd ontins mny seeds when overripe. The eggplnt is thermophili plnt nd the ultivtion requires lrge mount of wter. It is ultivted outdoors from My to Otoer. It n lso e ultivted off seson in heted greenhouses with night tempertures of C nd dy tempertures of C C nd higher tempertures in the soil helps in the improvement of olour of the fruits. In greenhouse ulture, single stem or doule stem utting is usully pplied to fit more plnts per re euse the plnts need to oupy less spe in the greenhouse. The plnts in the greenhouse need support with strings euse of the height tht they n reh during ultivtion. They lso need defolition for etter ertion nd more light. The lol vrieties in Greee re the Lgkd with ovl, drk purple, long fruits weighing roughly 150 grms, the Tskoniki,(Leonidioy) (Proteted Nme of Origin from 1996) (Plte 2.1), with long purple fruits of grms, nd Syrou, Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

21 off seson vriety with the igger, round or per shped, drk purple fruits of typilly 300 grms. 21 Plte 2.1Tskoniki eggplnt, (Leonidiou) The ultivtion in greenhouses is mostly preferred euse it n hieve higher tempertures in the winter months so the fruits of eggplnt n e sold ll yer round with good prie. However, this lso uses some prolems s ultivtors re enourged to grow the plnts intensively with high demnd for wter, fertilizers nd other hemils. 2.3 Slinity. Slinity is the existene of ions in high onentrtions, mostly N + nd Cl - in the soil nd wter. Those ions our from minerl roks, slty lkes nd oens, d drining of the soil nd smll mounts of nnul rin (Therios 1996). For the soil, the prolem of slinity is minly in res ner the se, whih re in the lower point of the lndspe (vlleys et) or in ples with low wter penetrility into su lyers. It ours generlly in res with dry or semi dry limte where the evpotrnspirtion is high ut the mount of fresh wter, for exmple from rin, is not enough to wsh the slts from the soil. Another reson for the development of high slinity is the use of wter with high onentrtion of slts for irrigtion, s in the se of Crete (Missinopoulos 1991). Aording to the U.S Slinity Lortory, soil is hrterized s slty when the eletril ondutivity (EC), the resistivity of mteril to the movement of n eletri hrge, of the Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

22 22 sturted extrt is more thn 4 ds.m -1 (deisiemens in meter), good qulity wter for ultivtion is one with < 2dS.m -1,when the se wter hs EC ds.m -1. To understnd the sle of the prolem of slinity in ultivtion, the re with slinity prolems worldwide is out 8 illion res, > 6% of the world totl lnd re (FAO, 2009). So in the future, if we onsider the lrge demnd from ountries with fst development nd higher demnd for fresh wter nd new lnd for food ultivtion, there must e further reserh for slt tolernt ultivtion nd new methods for ultivtion in res with slinity prolems. 2.4 Effets of slinity on plnts. The slinity of soil plys n importnt role in the growth of plnts (Zhu, 2001) nd in mny of the vitl proess suh s photosynthesis, (Prid nd Dss 2005), The plnts re stressed in onditions of high slinity nd this hppens minly euse of the high onentrtions of N + nd Cl - ions in the soil wter. (Hsegw et l., 2000). This generlly disturs the osmoti potentil (the ility of wter to move from hypotoni to hypertoni solution) of the roots. When the onentrtion of N + ions exeeds the 1500ppm (1 EC= 500ppm), most plnts re under stress onditions. So they hve developed some defense mehnisms (Munns et l. 2002). These re: ) Deresing the reeption of the hemil ions from the roots. ) Deresing the trnsport of the ions inside the plnt nd t the sme time inresing the trnsport of others, like K +, to derese the osmoti potentil. ) Aumulting the ions in the higher prts of the root, shoot nd leves. d) Deresing the trnsport of ions mong the developing tissues. e) Disrding the slt through the leves. Hlophytes (plnts tht n grow in high slt onditions) re the only plnts tht use ll of the ove mehnisms to protet themselves from slt. Other plnt Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

23 23 speies tht re not dpted to withstnd high slt onditions mostly use the first three mehnisms. On the other hnd, glyophytes (plnts tht grow in non sline soils) ehve in ompletely different mnner when N + nd Cl - ions in the ground solution re t low level. These ts like lk of wter nd these plnts redue their growth nd lose some of their leves. Growth is only resumed when the ions re repled in the soil, until they egin to reh toxi levels in the tissues (Yeo et l.., 1991). 2.5 Effets of slinity on the growth of plnts. The most ommon effets of high slinity on plnts re the diret redution of the growth nd development of ondition of high stress whih n led to totl lef fll. The reson is the inresed diffiulty of the plnt to otin wter from the soil, euse of the osmoti nd the ioni effet, to other ions, of slt. Tht is to sy movement of ions into tissues will e redued, whih results in the deresed funtion of ells (Munns, 2005). The redution of growth ours efore the symptoms of the slinity stress egin, due to the redution of the osmoti differene nd then to the toxiity of the ions in higher onentrtions to the ells. Another importnt hnge is in the integrity of ellulr memrnes nd in the tivity of enzymes. The high slinity lso results in smller leves, redution in the interellulr spes (empty nd non empty spes mong the ells) nd lso redution in the numer of the hloroplsts. The leves re thiker nd hve liquefied mss Weisel 1991, Shnnon 1994). In tomto in prtiulr, redution of the lef surfe nd lower stomtl ondutne hs een oserved (Romerornd et l. 2001). The iggest effet ours in the leves euse in these strutures, ll the vitl opertions of the plnt tke ple. The Cl - ions umultion leds to hlorosis nd premture geing of leves nd lef sission. This results in the redution of photosyntheti ility of the plnt nd the redution of stem growth (Zekri 1991). A onsequene of these effets is lso the redution of the fresh s well s dry weight of plnts (Chrtzoulkis nd Klpki 2000; Nvro et l. 2003; Lykoskoufis et l. 2005).This lso ffets the fruits euse of the smller pity of the plnts to produe metolites nd results generlly in deresed prodution nd qulity. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

24 2.6 EFFECTS OF SALINITY ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE PLANTS Photosyntheti rte. 24 The influene of slinity on the photosyntheti ility of plnts is onerned minly with the toxi effet of slts ut lso with the redution of wter potentil. In the first few hours of the exposure to slinity, there is totl interruption of the ron (C) sorne y the older leves nd in the next few dys to the new developed leves due to the toxiity of the onentrtion of slts. Also slinity redues the stomtl ondutivity nd respirtion. The rise in wter potentil uses sorption of wter from the ells, reduing the inter-ell spe nd stops the trnsport of the eletrons, whih re produts of photosynthesis. With the inrese of osmoti potentil there is entry of N + ions into the ytoplsm whih uses further dysfuntion of the photosyntheti nd respirtory trnsport of eletrons (Prid nd Ds 2005).The ioni imlne tht is reted leds to the degrdtion of the photosyntheti system II (PSII) (Ashrf 2004.). Also the losure of the stomt under slinity stress redues respirtion, so the onentrtion of CO 2 in the inter-ell spe is rised whih hinders the photosyntheti proedure (Shulze 1986). Some other non-stomtl ftors tht redue the photosyntheti rte re the dehydrtion of the ell memrne, tissues tht mture fster thn norml, hnges in the inter-ell enzyme tivity nd the toxiity of the slt ions themselves (Zisk et l ). Although most reserhes report redution in the photosyntheti rte, in some studies it is reported tht photosynthesis is rised in low onentrtions of slinity (Prid nd Ds ) Differenes re lso reported etween different speies nd vrieties of single speies Chlorophyll ontent. Another ftor tht slinity ffets is the hlorophyll ontent. The result is generl hlorosis of the leves, whih leds to premture deth nd lef fll. Netodo et l. (2009) reported signifint redution in hlorophyll ontent in sorghum under slinity stress. Redution in hlorophyll onentrtions is proly due to the inhiitory effet of the ions of slts on the iosynthesis of the different hlorophyll ftors. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

25 25 Slinity ffets the prodution of the pigment protein omplex in the hloroplst struture. As the hloroplst is memrne-ound its stility is dependent on the memrne stility itself, whih under high slinity onditions seldom remins intt. (Y. Ali, Z. Aslm, M. Y. Ashrf nd G. R. Thir 2009.) Chlorophyll fluoresene. Chlorophyll fluoresene is nother inditor of plnt stress. The vlue of hlorophyll fluoresene is used in mny studies to indite slinity stress onditions (Ymd et l. 1996; Meyer nd Gently. 1998; Mxwell nd Johnson ). The reson is tht light s stimultor of photosyntheti system II (PSII) n lso e used s fluoresene in the hlorophyll moleules (hlorophyll fluoresene). By this proedure hlorophyll fluoresene n e mesured s ftor of hlorophyll tivity. Mesuring the mount of hlorophyll fluoresene under stress onditions we n detet ny hnges in photosynthesis efore lmost ny other symptom ppers (Mxwell nd Johnson 2000.). In order to mesure this prmeter in plnts we hve to mesure the mximum fluoresene (Fm) nd the sl fluoresene yield (Fo). The sl floresene is mesured when the pulsed light for photosynthesis is very low nd the Fm is mesured y exposing the hlorophyll to speifi wve length of light tht n tivte hlorophyll (tini light), out 10,000 µmol photons m -2 s -1.The Fm (fluoresene mximum) minus the Fo (fluoresene minimum) equls the Fv whih is the fluoresene vrile nd (Fm-Fo)/Fv is the the effiieny of photon yield (the numer of times tht hemmil rtion ours per photon) y PSII. Normlly this vlue is from 0.75 to Effets of slinity on ion levels. There seems to e n intertion etween the ions in plnt ells used y high slinity onditions. For exmple, in high slinity onditions the plnt inreses the onentrtion of C +2 nd K + in the ellulr solution during the proess of onditioning to these onditions (Knight et l 1997, Zhu 2001). Also slinity Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

26 26 influenes the sorption of nutrients from the ground euse the ompetition tht is reted etween the ions. Finding the onentrtions of speifi ions through tissue nlysis is relile method to study slt tolerne. A hrteristi exmple is potssium (K). The K + in the plnts is relted with the rtio of N + /K + in the sustrte (Devitt et l. 1981). In mny studies it hs een found tht the onentrtion of K + in the plnt is deresed when the onentrtion N + inreses in the sustrte (Okusny nd Ungr 1984; Crmer et l 1985; Suro et l 1990). Under high slinity ondition dding potssium in the nutrient solution is reported to inrese the dry weight of the stem nd the roots in otton (Silverush ) nd it my e importnt to dd essentil ions suh s K + to the growth sustrte Effets of slinity on ntioxidnt enzyme tivity. Also n importnt ffet of slinity to plnt tissues is the prodution of retive oxygen speies whih re funtioning y-produts of metolism due to ioti stresses, s well s importnt signl trnsdution moleules (Jithesh et l 2006). Consequently the detoxifition of these moleules mkes the plnts more tolernt to inresed slinity (Xiong nd Zhu 2002). In order to detoxify, the retive oxygen speies plnts use ertin ntioxidtive enzymes in ntioxidtive mehnisms. The non-enzymti ntioxidnt mehnism uses vrious ompounds or moleules suh s -etoferole, ( sustne whih is produed y hlorophyll during the proess of photosynthesis) (Konstntinidou 2003), sori id nd vrious solule proteins (Jithesh et l. 2006) suh s osmotin whih is protein tht is produed in onditions of stress (Ashrf nd Hrris 2004). The enzymti mehnism inludes the prodution of enzymes suh s superoxidedismutse (SOD), tlse (CAT), guiolperoxidse (GPX), sorteperoxidse (APX), glutmtedehydrogense (GDH) nd peroxidse (POD) (Sndlios 1997; Jithesh et l 2006). Eh one of these enzymes is tive in different prts of the ell. For exmple, the peroxides re detoxified y CAT in the ytoplsm nd lso from APX in the plsmodi (Konstntinidou 2003). The hyper-prodution of SOD nd CAT helps plnts to tolerte stress ftors suh s slinity, old nd generl externl oxidnt ftors. Mny reserhers report tht lthough the expression of the Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

27 different enzymes t the sme time helps during stress onditions, eh one is regulted independently (Levine 1999). 27 Fig.2.2. Antioxidnt network in different orgnelles of the plnt ell. (Jithesh et l. 2006). The ells lso produe high quntities of mny osmoregulting sustnes suh s sugrs nd polyols (Sir nd Tygi 2004). These sustnes protet some ellulr strutures in intertion with other proteins nd enzymes (Rhodes et l 2002) Wter reltions. The wter nd osmoti potentil, the minimum fore tht it is needed to stop osmosis, eomes more negtive s slt onentrtion inresed. On the other hnd turgor pressure (the presure of plsm memrn to the ell wll of plnt ells) inreses (Prid nd Dss, 2005). When the plnts re under high osmoti stress (e.g. slinity), due to high osmoti potentil, they turn to osmoti regultion. This regultion hppens through ions or orgni ompound entry in to the plnts. Under this osmoti stress there is reported growth redution (Ashrf, 2004) Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

28 Effet of slinity on eggplnts. Eggplnt is usully onsidered to e plnt whih is sensitive to slinity (Heuer et l. 1986; Svvs nd Lenz 1996). However it is ple of mintining more fvorle wter lne thn other vegetles (Behoudin, 1977). However, in high onentrtions of slt the results re similr to those in other vegetle plnts. Greenwy nd Munns (1980) me to the onlusion tht the seedlings of eggplnt re more sensitive t the eginning of their growth thn in lter stges, proly euse of the osmoti stress used y the sudden hnge of the solution onentrte. Oservtions in plnts of eggplnt show tht in hydroponi ultures the growth nd prodution of fruits differ depending on of slinity levels (Svvs, Lenz 1996). In lower onentrtions of slt there is redution of the dry weight of the fruits nd lso reltive redution of the numer of the fruits per plnt (Chrtzoulkis nd Loupsski 1996). In higher onentrtions plnts ultimtely show poor nd my lose iomss (Ashrf 1994). This lerly ffets the reltive yield of fruit. Mss nd Hoffmn (1977) found tht the reltive yield is deresed y 23%, 41%, 69% nd 88% t 25 mmol, 50mmol, 100 mmol nd 150 mmol NCl, respetively. 2.8 Grfting nd the role of grfting to improve slt tolerne. Grfting is n environment-friendly tehnique omining two different plnt types (usully the sme speies) the upper prt (stem leves fruits et.) of the one to the lower prt (stem nd roots) of the other. This tehnique is sed on the vsulr tissues from two plnts (rootstok nd sion) join together to eome one. In figure 2.2 it is shown the sme tehnique of grfting used in the experiments. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

29 29 Fig.2.3. Tongue pproh grfting. Grfting losses in rop prodution from mny ftors suh s pest nd soil diseses nd lso to improve tolerne to mny stress onditions like slinity. It is onerned with developing omintion of desired shoot hrteristis nd desired root hrteristis (Prdo et l 1998). Grfting is very ommon method for solving the prolems of slinity in Curuitee nd Solnee fmilies nd it is een studied y mny reserhers. (Snt-Cruz et l, 2002; Coll et l. 2005; Zhu et l. 2008; Yetisir nd Uyrur 2010.). Grfting n provide ) Higher umultion of proline nd sugr in the leves (Ruiz et l. 2005) ) Higher ntioxidnt pity in the leves (Lopez-Gomez et l. 2007) ) Lower umultion of N + nd Cl - in the leves (Fernndez-Gri et l, 2004; Goret et l, 2008). Mny studies report tht n importnt tehnique in some rop speies hs een the grfting of vrieties with sline resistnt rootstoks onto other vrieties of the sme speies mking them resistnt to soil-orne diseses (suh s Vertiilium dhlie), low tempertures nd slinity (Zhng 2002, Yng et l 2006). However in eggplnt up until now there hve een very few reports of the use of this tehnique. In these reports it hs een found tht grfting of eggplnt ffets the polymines metolism nd the ntioxidnt enzymes tivity t the ells (Zhng et l 2008). Also n inresed tivity of SOD ws found (Dhinds et l 1981) nd lso Peroxide (POD) tivity ws ssyed (Koh et l 1977) under slinity stress. The tle elow shows the N + nd Cl - exlusion nd inlusion in some grfted speies s rootstoks nd sions. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

30 30 Tle 2.1. N + nd Cl - exlusion nd inlusion in grfted vegetles under sline onditions. Sion speies Rootstok Ion exlusion in the Ion inlusion in the Referene. speies. sion. rootstok. Cuumis stivus L. Cuurit most Duh. N + exlusion. Chen nd Wnd. ( 2003) Cuumis stivus L. Lngenri sierri Stndl. N + nd Cl - exlusion. Similr N+ nd Cl-. Hung et l.(2009) Cuumismelo L. Cuurit mxim Duh. x N + exlusion, similr Cl -. Edelstein et l.(2005) C. MoshtDuh. Solnum melongen L. Solnum torvum N + nd Cl - N+ inlusion. Wei et l.(2007) Swrtz. exlusion. Solnum lyopersium Solnum N + nd Cl - Estn et l.(2005) L. lyopersium L. exlusion. The slt tolerne in grfted plnts is due minly to the hoie of the rootstok. He et l (.2009) oserved tht in non-grfted tomto derese in root dry mss t 100 nd 150 mm NCl onentrtion ws oserved ut in the se of grfted tomto the redution ws smller. Using tomto s rootstok, the growth performne ws improved under sline onditions when it ws grfted to Solnum torvum plnts (Wei et.l 2007). Wei et.l (2009) lso oserved tht grfted eggplnts hd n improved ntioxidnt enzyme tivity ompred to self rooted seedlings. Similr results hve lso een noted with other plnt speies s shown in the tlet 2.2 elow. Tle Antioxidnt s mrkers of slinity tolerne in grfted vegetles. Sion speies. Rootstok speies. Antioxidnt. Referene. Cuumis stivus L Cuurit mxim Duh x C. MoshtDuh SOD, POD, CAT, APX. Yng et l.(2006) Cuumis stivus L Curuit fiifoli Bouhe SOD, Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, CAT. Go et l.(2008) Citrus lntus Lngenri sierristndl SOD, POD, CAT, APX. Zhu et l.(2008) Solnum lyopersium L Solnum lyopersium L SOD, POD, APX, AsA. Chen et l.(2005) Solnum melongen L Solnum torvum Swrtz SOD, POD, APX, GR. Wei et l.(2009) Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

31 Aim nd ojetives of the present work Aim The effet of slinity on the eggplnt prodution is mjor prolem whih redution in ropyield nd qulity. The im of this PhD projet is to exmine the effet of NCl in the irrigtion wter of two greenhouse eggplnt hyrids nd two rootstoks, y studying the effets of slinity on different physiologil nd iohemil prmeters of their growth nd development. Two eggplnt hyrids (Vernin nd Hn) nd two rootstoks (Solnum torvum, ushy, eret nd spiny perennil plnt used hortiulturl s rootstok for eggplnt nd tomto (Lyopersion esulentum) were used, ll of them s self rooted nd s grfted plnts Ojetives To study the effet of NCl on the growth nd development of two populr eggplnt hyrids nd two rootstoks. To ssess the impt of slinity on mjor physiologil nd iohemil prmeters of the growth nd development of eh hyrid nd rootstok. To ollet evidene on the tolerne or sensitivity of the two eggplnt hyrids y evluting the symptoms nd ompring the results of slinity on the mesured prmeters. To mke reommendtions on the most effetive vrieties of eggplnt tht n e grown in greenhouses under sline onditions. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

32 32 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS The follow experiments were designed to study the tolerne of two eggplnts hyrids (Solnum melongen L hyrid Hn nd Solnum melongen L hyrid Vernin) nd two ommonly used rootstoks (Solnum torvum nd Solnum lyopersium L hyrid Resistr) oth s grfted nd self-rooted plnts in seven different onentrtions of NCl 12,5, 25, 50, 100, 150 nd 200 mm. The first experiment tested the plnts t soil su-lyer, nd the two other experiments in perlite, simulting hydroponi ulture system. 3.1 Desription of the experimentl work. The ove plnt types, s sions (the upper prt of grfted plnt) nd rootstoks were hosen euse of their good hrteristis nd fruit prodution in the greenhouses of Ierpetr, nd euse they re ommonly used y the lol eggplnt produers.. The plnt types were studied in three different experiments loted in the sme ple ut in three different periods. The experiments were s follows: Experiment 1. In this experiment the four plnt types, future rootstoks nd sions, were studied s self rooted plnts in pots using ommeril ompost s the sustrte. The plnts were fed with nutrients using ommon solule fertilizer ontining the min nutrients tht plnt needs. The NCl ws dded t 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 150 nd 200mM. Experiment 2. In this experiment the four plnt types were plnted s self rooted plnts, in pots with perlite simulting hydroponi system. All the nutrients nd NCl were dded in solution tht irrigted the pots in regulr time t the durtion of the experiment. The NCl tretment ws the sme s in experiment 1. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

33 33 Experiment 3. In this experiment the four plnt types were plnted s grfted plnts in pots with perlite nd the solution ws the sme s in experiment 2. The NCl tretments were the sme s experiment Experiment of self rooted sions nd rootstoks in soil. In this experiment the eggplnt hyrids Hn nd Vernin s self rooted nd the rootstoks tomto nd torvum plnts were used. The plnts were otined from ommeril nursery in Ierpetr, in the developmentl stge of two fully developed leves. They were trnsplnted into plsti flowerpots (5L), using ommeril ompost s sustrte. Every seond dy the plnts reeived 150 ml wter, ontining ertin mount of fertilizer [(full-solule fertilizer whih inludes N (nitrogen), P (phosphorous) nd K (potssium) mironutrients, nd slt (it ws used ommon slt used lso in ooking), in mounts depending on the onentrtion. Slt ws dded into the irrigtion wter t the following onentrtions: 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 mm NCl. Along with the slt, for the nutrition of plnts, wter solule fertilizer ws used. The fertilizer ontined the following mronutrients (mm): NO 3, 14 ; H 2 PO 4, 1.5; SO 2 4,1; C2 +, 4; K +, 7.5; Mg2 +, 1. The mironutrient onentrtions were (mg/l): Fe, 1.0; Mn, 0.5; B, 0.25; Cu 0.02; Mo, The ph ws djusted to 5, 6. The onentrtions of slt in the irrigtion wter were inresed progressively during the first week in order to void the retion of strong osmoti shok from the slt. Thus the first dy the plnts were irrigted with wter nd fertilizer nd in the following dys 25 mm inrements were dded (prt from the 12, 5 mm, tretment) until the desired onentrtion were rehed. After the 5 th week nd until the end of the experiment the irrigtion ws inresed to 200 ml euse of the igger needs of the plnts. It ws used 12 plnts per speies t eh onentrtion totlly rndomized. The experiment ws onduted in heted greenhouse of the frm of Tehnologil Edution Institute of Crete. It egn in Deemer 2009 nd lsted three months. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

34 Experiment of self rooted sions nd rootstoks in perlite. The seond experiment took ple t the sme greenhouse. The plnts were self rooted in flowerpots of 5L, filled with perlite. They were otined in the stge of two fully developed leves. Then the roots were wshed from soil nd plnted in the pots with perlite. The pots were irrigted from n utomti irrigtion system using rrels of 150L nd pumps. The nutrient solution in eh rrel onsisted y two stok onentrted solutions (700 ml from eh onentrted stok solution for 160 L of nutrient solution), slt (the mount ws different for eh onentrtion) nd wter. The ph ws djusted t using Nitri id. The slt ws dded t the following onentrtions: 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 150, nd 200 mm NCl. Nutrient solution used for open hydroponi systems for vegetle ultivtions in greenhouses s shown in Tle 3.1. In this experiment it ws used 10 plnts from eh speies t eh onentrtion rndomly plnted. The onentrtions of slt in the irrigtion wter were inresed progressively during the first week s in the Experiment 1. Tle 3.1. Nutrient solution used for irrigtion. Stok solution A Amount for 30L onentrted solution (1:100). Clium nitrte. 1,865 Kg. Potssium nitrte. 1,175 Kg. Ammonium nitrte. 0,042 Kg. Fe-helte. 0,042 Kg. Stok solution B Amount for 30L onentrted solution (1:100). Potssium nitrte. 1,175 Kg. Mgnesium sulphte. 0,845 Kg. Mgnesium nitrte. 0,421 Kg. Phosphori id. 0,307 L. Mngnese sulphte. 5, 07 grms. Zin sulphte. 3, 34 grms. Copper sulphte. 0, 55 grms. Bori id. 4, 64 grms. Ammonium heptmolydte. 0, 26 grms. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

35 Experiment with grfted eggplnts in perlite. In this experiment the method ws the sme s for experiment 2.with the only differene tht the plnts were grfted s in shown in the Tlet 3.2. Tlet 3.2. Sions nd roots stoks of the third experiment. Sions. Root stoks. Solnum melongen L hyrid Hn Solnum torvum Solnum melongen L hyrid Vernin Solnum melongen L hyrid Hn Solnum lyopersium L hyrid Resistr Solnum melongen L hyrid Vernin 3.2 Mesured prmeters After the strt of eh experiment, mesurements were tken every seond week. The mesurements onerned the height of the plnts in m nd the numer of fully developed leves. At the end of eh experiment it ws kept speifi mount of fresh leves in deep freezer for the ntioxidnt enzyme nlysis ut unfortuntely it ws sved tissue only from the lst experiment. Also the fresh weight of leves, stem nd fruits of eh plnt ws mesured nd then the dry weight of them. Chlorophyl mesurements. The hlorophyll ontent ws mesured using the Koni Minolt Sensing, In, Chlorophyll Meter SPAD-502Plus, the hlorophyll fluoresene using the OPTI- SCIENCE, OS-30p nd photosynthesis, stomtl ondutne, trnspirtion, intrellulr CO 2 (using the LI-COR, Li-6400, Plte 3.1). Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

36 36 Plte 3.1. The LI-6400XT_md mesures the rte of photosynthesis in the leves of plnts. The mesurements of the hlorophyll ontent, hlorophyll fluoresene nd photosynthesis were tken from the lst rel leves of eh plnt. At the end of the experiment, the plnts were seprted into leves, shoots, fruits nd flowers, their fresh weight ws mesured, were dried in ovens t 80 0 Cnd reweighed in order to mesure the dry weight. Also 3 grms of plnt tissue from one lef were kept in refrigertor t 70 0 C in order to e used for further enzyme nd protein nlyses in the lortory. Tlet 3.3. Mesurements for eh experiment. Num. Leves. K nd N Fresh nd dry weight. Photo. Rte Chloro. Cont. Chloro. Fluore. Enzyme. At. Height. Exp.1 Exp.2 x Exp.3 x Enzyme Mesurements. For the tivity of sorte peroxidse (APX), glutthione peroxidse (GPX), peroxidse (POD) ws determined in fresh lef (0.2 g) whih ws homogenized with mortr nd pestle in 1.6 ml of ie-old 50 mm NH 2 PO 4 extrtion uffer ph=6.5, ontining 1% (w/v) Polyvinilpolypyrrolydon PVPP nd 1M NCl. The homogente Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

37 ws entrifuged t rpm for 20 min nd the superntnt ws used for the enzyme ssys. All steps were rried out t 0-4 o C with the use of liquid nitrogen. 37 The retion mixture for eh enzyme ws: ) For the APX 50μl of the enzyme extrt in 0.5 mm sorte nd 0.1 mm H 2 O 2 in 50 mm phosphte uffer ( KH 2 PO 4 ) (ph 7). The tivity ws determined y following the rte of the derese of sorne t 290 nm using UV spetrophotometer every 20 se from 0 to 280 (Pinhero et l. 1997). ) For the GPX, 100μl of the enzyme extrt in mm guiol nd 327 mm H 2 O 2 in 50 mm phosphte uffer ( KH 2 PO 4 ) (ph 6). The tivity ws determined y following the rte of the inrese of sorne t 470 nm. Every 20 se from 0 to 140. (Pinhero et l. 1997) ) For the POD, 10μl of the enzyme extrt in 0.5% (w/v) pyrogllol nd 0.027% (w/w) H 2 O 2 in 14 mm phosphte uffer ( KH 2 PO 4 ) (ph 6). The tivity ws determined y following the inrese of sorne t 420 nm every 20 se from 0 to 180 (Chne et l. 1995). Ion Mesurements. For the K nd N determintions it ws used the method of flme photometer. Three smple of dryed leves from eh onentrtion ws sepreted nd rushed y hnd to mke them into smll rums in plsti ontiner, this opertion is to the homogeniztion of the smple. Then the leves re rushed y mens of n eletri grinder so s to otin very fine grind. After grinding of eh smple, the vegetle stok powder ws put in pill ox nd from this powder it ws weighted 1 grm. The powder ws put in onil flsk (Erlenmeyer flsk) nd dried one more in n oven to void ny moisture. Then the smples were heted in high temperture with 20 ml of speifi mix of ids. The rtio of the ids ws: 1 H 2 O 4 S (Sulfuri id) : 2 HCLO 4 Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

38 38 (Perhlori id): 5 HNO 3 (Nitri id) (Tsikls 2003). This proedure it is ll wet oxidtion nd we use it to destroy the orgni mtter. At the end of this proedure 3-5ml of the mixture is left in the flsk. Distilled wter is dded to 100 ml. this solution is lled stok. The determintion of potssium nd sodium in the flme photometer it is done y using stok solutions nd smples orresponding to known onentrtion. For the determintion we need sometimes to mke dilution of 10 times y pling 5 ml of stok solution in vils of 50 ml numered nd dd distilled wter to the mrk. Smple of K lultion in 1grmm of dry plnt tissue: Dry weight plnt tissue: grmms Stok solution- 100ml Stok dilution 1:5 Stndrds used : 0,10,25,50,75,100ppm Stndrds indition: 1,18,38,64,84,100 Stok indition: 57 The stndr onentrtions (X xel) nd indition (Y xel) ret lirtion grph form wih we n find the onetrtion of our smple. Hypothelly it is 38. So: 38x5(times of dilution)=190ppm The mg (1000 ml) ontin 190mg of K The mg (100ml stok solution) ontin X of K X=19 mg. The grms ( mg stok) of plnt tissue ontin 19 mg of K The 100 mg of dry plnt tissue ontin X mg of K X= So the % onetrtion of plnt tissue is 1.563% The sme method it is used for the N determintion. 3.3 Sttistil Anlysis. For the sttistil nlysis of the results it ws used the SPSS STATISTICS progrm nd more speifi the ANOVA one wy type of nlysis. It is ompletely Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

39 39 rndomized experiment using one ftor eh time. Finding the signifint differenes of the results the Dunn s test ws used from the sme progrm. It is multiple rnge test using multiple omprison methods. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

40 40 4. RESULTS 4.1. Cultivtion in soil Plnt height. The plnt height of the hyrid Hn ws ffeted y slinity. The plnt height t 150 nd 200mM onentrtions of NCl ws progressively deresed (figure 4.1.) showing redution of growth. The effet on the height of the plnts strted fter the fifth week of the experiment. The plnts of the self rooted hyrid Vernin were signifintly ffeted y slinity. The verge height of the plnts (Fig 4.1) ws ffeted. The highest onentrtion of 200 mm used higher redution of growth ompred to the other onentrtions from the fifth week. At the ninth week three of the eleven plnts t the onentrtion of the 150mM NCl were ded. Fig 4.1. Men effet of the irrigtion wter slinity on the verge height (m) of self rooted Hn nd Vernin plnts fter ulture in soil for nine weeks t different onentrtions of NCl. The height of Solnum torvum plnts ws not ffeted exept from the 150mM onentrtion tht styed stle for the lst week. Tomto in this experiment ws ultured in soil without een grfted, for nine weeks irrigted with wter ontining Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

41 41 NCl t different onentrtions. Figure 4.2 Shows plnt heights over the experimentl period. The height ws not ffeted t the lower onentrtions. In the higher onentrtions (100, 150 nd 200mM) the height of the plnts ws negtively ffeted, showing signifintly smller growth thn the other onentrtions. Fig 4.2. Effet of the irrigtion wter slinity on the verge height (m) of Solnum torvum nd Tomto plnts ultured in soil for nine weeks t different onentrtions of NCl. At figure 4.3. The differenes were t the two lst higher onentrtions of S. torvum plnts. The Hn plnts did not hve ny sttistil differenes t ll onentrtions. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

42 HEIGHT (m) d de de e d d Hn Vernin m S.torvum Resistr 0 0 mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Figure 4.3. Comprison of different NCl onentrtions in the irrigtion wter on the height of self rooted eggplnt (Solnum melongen) hyrids Hn,nd Vernin nd two ommonly used rootstoks Solnum lyopersion, hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum, ultured in soil for nine weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test Effet of Nl tretments on t numer of leves. The numer of fully developed leves per plnt of the hyrid Hn ws ffeted y irrigtion slinity from the fifth week (200mM NCl) or seventh week (150 nd 100 mm NCl onentrtions). Compred to ontrol plnts lower numer of leves per plnt ws mesured t the onentrtions of 100, 150 nd 200mM. Figure 4.4 elow shows mjor loss of the leves of Vernin plnts fter the 5 th week. The onentrtions of 100, 150 nd 200mM hd the higher leve loss ompred to other NCl tretments. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

43 43 Fig.4.4 Effet of slinity on the verge numer of fully developed leves of Hn nd Vernin eggplnts during ulture in soil for nine weeks, irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. Fig 4.5 elow shows the effet of slinity on lef numer of Solnum torvum. The leves strted flling off fter the 6 th week. The higher loss of leves ws t the onentrtions of 100, 150 nd 200mM NCl. In Figure 4.5, plnts irrigted with the two higher onentrtions of NCl (150 nd 200mM) hd the lowest numer of the leves per plnt, minly due to erly lef drop, ut lso euse of delyed growth. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

44 Numer of leves 44 Fig 4.5 Effet of slinity on the verge numer of fully developed leves of Solnum torvum eggplnts ultured in soil for nine weeks, irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions d de de e d d Hn Vernin m S.torvum Resistr 0 0 mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Figure 4.6 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the numer of leves of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two (not grfted) rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in soil for 9 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

45 Effet of NCl tretments on Chlorophyll ontent. The hlorophyll ontent of the first fully developed leves of Hn eggplnts ws redued drmtilly t the higher onentrtions of NCl (Fig 4.7) fter the fifth week of the experiment. A redution fter nine week ws lso evident t the ontrol. Figure 4.7 shows the effet of slinity on the hlorophyll ontent of the Vernin leves. The hlorophyll ontent ws ffeted t ll onentrtions fter the third week of the strt of NCl irrigtion. There ws very mrked differene in hlorophyll ontent etween the ontrol leves nd the leves of ll plnts of NCl tretments in this experiment. Fig 4.7 Effet of slinity on the verge hlorophyll ontent of leves Hn nd Vernin eggplnts ultured in soil for nine weeks irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. The hlorophyll ontent of the first fully developed leves of Solnum torvum eggplnts, (Fig 4.8) ws ffeted in ll onentrtions ompred to ontrol leves. After the fifth week the hlorophyll ontent ws redued even more, espeilly t the higher onentrtions (150 nd 200mM). The effet of slinity on the hlorophyll ontent of leves of tomto plnts is shown in Fig 4.8. Chlorophyll ontent ws Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

46 46 ffeted in ll onentrtions even t 12.5 NCl. The onentrtions of 150 nd 200mM showed mrked deline fter the fifth week. Fig 4.8 Effet of slinity in the verge hlorophyll ontent of Solnum torvum nd tomto leves ultured in soil for nine weeks with NCl irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. The sttistil nlysis of the lst mesurements shows tht the higher onentrtions hd no ig differenes for eh plnt type, ompred to the lowest. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

47 AVERAGE NUMBER OF CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm NCl Conentrtion (mm) 150 mm 200 mm Hn Vernin S.torvum Resistr Figure 4.9 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the hlorophyl ontent of the youngest fully developed leve of eggplnt hyrids (Hn nd Vernin) nd two omon rootstoks ultured self rooted nd non grfted (Tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ultured in soil for 9 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test Effet of NCl onentrtions on the hlorophyll fluoresene. On verge, the hlorophyll fluoresene in the youngest fully developed leves of Hn eggplnts ws redued in ll tretments, even the ontrol plnts (0mM NCl), s shown in Fig The highest redution ws oserved t the onentrtions of 12.5 nd 100mM NCl fter nine week. The hlorophyll fluoresene of the youngest fully developed leves of Vernin eggplnts (Fig 4.10) ws ffeted minly y time s it ws redued in ll slinity tretments fter the third week. At the ninth week the redution of hlorophyll fluoresene tretment, ws higher in 12.5 nd 200mM NCl nd ontrol. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

48 48 Fig 4.10 Effet of slinity on the verge hlorophyll fluoresene in leves of Hn nd Vernin eggplnts ultured in soil for nine weeks with NCl irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. Chlorophyll fluoresene in the leves of the Solnum torvum eggplnts delined with time, ut negtive slinity effets were ler fter the 7 th week nd re more pronouned t the higher NCl tretments. The effet of the slinity on the hlorophyll fluoresene in leves of Resistr tomto plnts (Figure 4.11) ws similr in ll tretments up to the seventh week ut t nine week there were some differenes mong the tretments. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

49 49 Fig 4.11 Effet of slinity on the verge hlorophyll fluoresene in leves of Solnum torvum nd tomto eggplnts ultured in soil for nine weeks irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. Fig.4.12 ompres sttistilly the effet if NCl tretments t hlorophyll fluoresene. Overll, there re no signifint differenes exept the S.torvum results for ontrol nd higher onentrtions. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

50 AVERAGE NUMBER OF CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE (Fv/Fm) d d d Hn Vernin S.torvum Resistr mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Figure 4.12 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the hlorophyl fluoresene in leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two (non grfted) rootstoks (Tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in soil for 9 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test Effet of NCl tretments on Photosyntheti rte. Fig.4.13 ompres the effet on photosyntheti rte for the ultivted plnts t week nine. It ffeted ll types of plnts nd there ws redution in higher onentrtions. The sttisti differenes were not Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

51 Photosyntheti rte (μmol m-2 S-1) d d mM 12,5mM 25mM 50mM 100mM 150mM 200mM Conentrtion Hn Vernin S.torvum Resistr Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the photosyntheti rte in leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two (non grfted) rootstoks (Tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in soil for 9 weeks. Brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test Fresh nd dry weight. In the following figures the fresh nd dry weight of different prts of the plnts is presented. In figure 4.14 the fresh weight of the leves ws signifintly inresed when Vernin, Hn nd tomto Resistr plnts were irrigted with NCl t low onentrtions (12,5 nd 25 mm) while t onentrtions 100 to 200 mm it ws signifintly redused, ompred to ontrol plnts. In the se of S.torvum the fresh weight of leves ws signifintly redued in ll tretments, more severily in the higher onentrtions of 100 to 200 NCl.. The differene in the the two rootstoks ws lrge due to the different plnt type. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

52 Fresh weight of leves per plnt(gr) d d d d d d d 0 mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm Conentrtion Hn Vernin S.torvum Resistr Figure 4.14 Effet of NCl irrigted on the fresh weight of leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd (non grfted) rootstoks (Tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in soil for 9 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. Figure 4.15 shows the dry weight of the leves. The Hn plnts hd more dry weight thn the Vernin plnts in ll tretments. The two rootstoks hve muh lower dry weight. The dry weight ws ffeted in ll tretments in the sme wy s the fresh weight. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

53 Dry weight of leves per plnt(g) de e de de e e d 0 mm 12,5 mm d d d d 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm Conentrtion 150 mm 200 mm Hn Vernin S.torvum Resistr Figure 4.15 Effet of irrigted NCl on the dry weight of leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two (non grfted) rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in soil for 9 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. Figure 4.16 shows the differenes in the fresh weight of fruits of the two hyrids. There is ig derese in fruit fresh weight t the tretments of 50 mm NCl nd higher in oth egplnt hyrids.. The rootstok S.torvum did not produe ny fruits during the experiment period. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

54 Fresh weight of fruits per plnt(g) d d 0 mm 12,5 mm d 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm Hn Vernin Resistr Conentrtion Figure 4.16 Effet of NCl on the fresh weight of fruits of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two (non grfted) rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in soil for 9 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. At figure 4.17 the dry weight of fruits of the rootstok Resistr ws not signifintly ffeted y slinity, while rootstok S. torvum did not produe ny fruits. The fruit dry weight of Vernin ws generlly lower thn tht of Hn. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

55 Dry weight of fruits per plnt(g) mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm Conentrtion Hn Vernin Resistr Figure 4.17 Effet of irrigted NCl on the dry weight of fruits of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two(non grfted) rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in soil for 9 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. At figure 4.18 ompres the stem s fresh weight of Hn nd Vernin nd seems to e ffeted y NCl in similr wy. Up to 50 mm onentrtion the stem fresh weight ws not signifintly ffeted, while in higher onentrtions the redution ws signifint ut not shrp. Stem fresh weight in tomto ws not signifintly ffeted up to 100mM NCl, ut in 150 nd 200 mm the redution ws signifintly further t eggplnts hyrids. In S.torvum fresh weight ws negtively ffeted t 12, 5 mm NCl. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

56 Stem fresh weight per plnt(g) d d s Hn Vernin S.torvum 2 d Resistr 0 0 mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm Conentrtion Figure 4.18 Effet of irrigted NCl on stem fresh weight of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in soil for 9 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. Figure 4.19 shows the stem dry weights. In Vernin there were no signifint differenes mong the mesured dry weight of the stems. In Hn stem dry weight ws not ffeted in 12,5 mm, nd lthough there were redutions in NCl onentrtions t 50 to 200 mm, there were no signifint differenes. Rootstok Resistr ws not ffeted up to 50 mm NCl, while S. torvum ws negtively ffeted t 12,5 mm NCl. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

57 % onentrtion K /grm dry tissue Stem dry weight per plnt(g) s Hn Vernin S.torvum Resistr mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm Conentrtion Figure 4.19 Effet of irrigted NCl on the dry weight of stem of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in soil for 9 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test K nd Cl onentrtion. Figure 4.20 shows the onentrtion of K / grm dry tissue t ll tretments. 200mM NCl tretment of Hn hyrid hs the iggest differene mong the other plnts types. S.torvum plnts lso hd sttistil differenes in the onentrtions of 0 nd 12.5mM Hn Vernin S.torvum 1 Resistr 0 0mM 12,5mM 25mM 50mM 100mM 150mM 200mM Conentrtion Figure 4.20 Effet of irrigtted NCl on the K + onentrtion of tissue of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in soil for 9 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

58 % onentrtion N /grmm dry tissue 58 Figure 4.21 is shown the onentrtion of N / grm dry tissue. S.torvum hs igger differenes in ll onentrtions exept the 0mM Hn Vernin S.torvum Resistr Conentrtion Figure 4.21 Effet of NCl Effet of irrigtted NCl on the N onentrtion of tissue of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in soil for 9 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. 4.2 HYDROPONIC CULTURE IN PERLITE. The mesurements were tken for eight weeks. After the seventh week the tempertures inside the greenhouse were rther high using dditionl stress to the plnts whih resulted in losing lmost ll their leves espeilly t the higher onentrtions of NCl. Even the ontrol plnts strted losing their leves t this period of time. In the setions elow the results for eh speies nd hyrid re shown regrding the height (m), the numer of fully developed leves, the hlorophyll fluoresene the hlorophyll ontent nd the photosyntheti rte. At the end of the experiment s in the previous one, the fresh nd dry weight of eh prt of the plnt ws mesured. The roots were not mesured. Also it ws mesured the K + nd N + ontent of the plnt tissues. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

59 59 4.2: The verge tempertures for the months of the experiment s shown t tle Tle 4.2 Month DAY NIGHT My June July The verges were lulted from the dt whih were tken from the dt logger inside the greenhouse when the experiment took ple Plnt height. The plnts of the hyrid Hn were ffeted y the slinity. The numer of leves is lerly ffeted fter the third week. Although there re not pronouned differenes mong the tretments with 12,5, 25 nd 50 mm ompred to ontrol, the loss of leves t 100, 150 nd 200 mm NCl is lerly higher thn tht of the ontrol. Plnt numer of leves t the ontrol plnts nd t the onentrtions of 12.5mM nd 25mM were similr (figure 4.22). The effet of NCl on the numer of the plnts strted fter the third week of the experiment. The verge height of the Vernin plnts (Fig 4.22) ws slightly ffeted y slinity. At the onentrtions of 150 nd 200 mm ws reorded the smller plnt height t the fifth week. At the seventh week of the experiment the height of the plnts in ll tretments ws similr with smll differenes. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

60 60 Fig 4.22 Effet on the verge height (m) of Hn nd Vernin eggplnts fter ulture in perlite for seven weeks irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. In this experiment Solnum torvum is ultured without een grfted ut will e used s rootstok in future experiments. The plnts show slower growth t the onentrtions of 200 nd 150mM (Fig 4.23). The plnts t the lmost ll onentrtions fter the fifth week hd only smll rise of their height. The tomto hyrid Resistr will e lso used s root stok in future experiments. Figure 4.23 shows plnt heights over the experimentl period. The height ws not ffeted t the lower onentrtions nd only fter the fifth week they hd redued growth. In the onentrtions of 150, nd 200mM the height of the plnts ws ffeted, showing lerly smller growth thn the other onentrtions. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

61 61 Fig 4.23 Effet of the irrigtion wter slinity on the verge height (m) of Solnum torvum nd tomto fter ulture in perlite for seven weeks irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. The Hn plnts hve sttistil differenes t the higher onentrtions nd lso the torvum plnts. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

62 HEIGHT (m) mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Hn Vernin Solnum torvum Resistr Figure 4.24 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the height of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two future rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test Effet of Nl tretments in numer of leves. The numer of fully developed leves ws ffeted y slinity from the fifth week. The lowest numers of leves were mesured t the high onentrtions of 100, 150 nd 200mM NCl. After week five the ontrol plnts strted lso to losing leves. Figure 4.25 of Vernin plnts elow shows mjor loss of the leves fter the fifth week. Plnts treted with the onentrtions of 150 nd 200mM NCl lost more leves ompred to plnts of other onentrtions. The ontrol plnts strted losing their leves s well. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

63 63 Fig.4.25 Effet of slinity on the verge numer of fully developed leves of Hn nd Vernin eggplnts fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. The numers of the leves of tomto re shown in Figure 4.26 The two higher onentrtions (150 nd 200mM NCl) hd the lowest numer of the leves; the rest of the onentrtions hd similr results. Similr results in S.torvum with higher rte of leve loss. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

64 Numer of leves 64 Fig 4.26 Effet of slinity on the verge numer of fully developed leves of Solnum torvum nd tomto fter ulture in perlite in period of seven weeks irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. The iggest sttisti differenes were t S.torvum plnts nd Hn. As shown in Fig.4.27 S.torvum hd signifint lef fll ompre to other plnts d d d d d d d d e de d 0 mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Hn Vernin S. torvum Resistr Fig 4.27 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the verge numer of fully developed leves of hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter seven weeks ulture in perlite. Brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

65 Effet of NCl tretments on Chlorophyll ontent. The hlorophyll ontent in leves of Hn eggplnts ws redued drmtilly t the higher onentrtions of NCl (Fig 4.28) fter the third week of the experiment. The effet of slinity on the hlorophyll ontent of Vernin leves (Figure 4.28) is very strong. The hlorophyll ontent ws ffeted drmtilly t ll onentrtions of NCl without mjor differenes mong tretments. Fig 4.28 Effet of slinity in the verge hlorophyll ontent of Hn leves in period of seven weeks in perlite, irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. The hlorophyll ontent of leves of Solnum torvum, (Fig 4.28) ws negtively ffeted y NCl in ll onentrtion ompred to the ontrol, where hlorophyll ontent of the leves ws only slightly redued. The redution is higher t week five, espeilly t the higher onentrtion (200mM NCl). The effet of slinity on the hlorophyll ontent of hyrid Resistr tomto plnts s shown in Fig 4.28 ws ffeted t ll the onentrtions even t the lowest onentrtion of 12.5mM ompred to the ontrol speilly fter the fifth week. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

66 66 Fig 4.28 Effet of slinity in the verge hlorophyll ontent of Solnum torvum nd tomto ultured in soil for nine weeks, irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. At Fig 4.29 the Vernin plnts do not hve sttistil differenes t ll onentrtions exept the 12.5 mm. The S.torvum hd signifint etter results t the end of the experiment thn the tomto plnts. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

67 CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT d d d d d d Hn Vernin S.torvum Resistr mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm CONCENTRATION Figure 4.29 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the hlorophyl ontent of leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two non rfted rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum ) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test Effet of NCl onentrtions on the hlorophyll fluoresene. The verge hlorophyll fluoresene in leves of Hn eggplnts ws redued t ll the onentrtions of NCl ompred to the ontrol plnts (12.5, 25, 50, 100, 150 nd 200mM) s shown in Fig 4.30, speilly t week five lthough redution strted erlier, with the iggest redution t the onentrtion of 200mM t the seventh week. The hlorophyll fluoresene in leves of Vernin eggplnts (Fig 4.30) ws not ffeted y NCl t onentrtions up to 50 mm while ig redution is reorded t week five t the onentrtion of 200 nd 150mM nd t the seventh week t 100, 150 nd 200mM NCl. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

68 68 Fig 4.30 Effet of slinity on the verge hlorophyll fluoresene in leves of Hn nd Vernin eggplnts for seven weeks in perlite, irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. Slinity ffeted the hlorophyll fluoresene of the leves of the Solnum torvum t ll onentrtions exept of the ontrol plnts nd 12.5mM whih hd only smll deline. The effet of the slinity on the hlorophyll fluoresene of leves of Resistr tomto plnts (Figure 4.31.) ws pprent in ll onentrtions of NCl ompred to the ontrol plnts. After the third week the derese ws igger in higher onentrtions. Fig 4.31 Effet of slinity on the verge numer of hlorophyll fluoresene of Solnum torvum nd tomto irrigted for seven weeks in perlite. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

69 CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE (Fv/Fm) 69 All the plnt type did not hve ny importnt sttistil differenes t ll onentrtions for the lst mesurements Hn Vernin S.torvum Resistr mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Figure 4.32 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the hlorophyl fluoresene of leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test Effet of NCl tretments on Photosyntheti rte. Aording to Fig.4.33 Hn plnts were ffeted less thn the other plnts on the photosyntheti rte, s redution is signifint t fter 50 mm. Resistr nd S. torvum were ffeted t 25 mm NCl, while Vernin ws ffeted t 12,5 mm. The differenes in the first two onentrtions re not signifint mong the plnt types. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

70 Photosyntheti rte (μmol m-2 S-1) f d f g f f f e e e d e d d d Resistr S.torvum. Hn Vernin 0 0mM 12,5mM 25mM 50mM 100mM 150mM 200mM NCl Conentrtion Figure 4.33 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions on the photosyntheti rte of leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) ultured in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test Fresh nd dry weight. At the following figures the fresh nd dry weight of different prts of the plnts is presented. In figure 4.34 the fresh weight of the leves show igger redution in the two hyrids in lmost ll onentrtions. The differene etween the two rootstoks is not siqnifint. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

71 Dry weight of leves per plnt(g) Fresh weight of leves per plnt(gr) mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Hn Vernin S.torvum Resistr Figure 4.35 Effet of irrigted NCl on the fresh weight of leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. Figure 4.36 shows the dry weight of the leves. Hn leves dry weight ws not signifintly ffeted up to 100 mm Vernin s leves dry weight ws not signifintly ffeted up to 50mM NCl, while the two rootstoks hd no signifint differenes up to 100 mm NCl Hn Vernin S.torvum Resistr 0 0 mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Figure 4.36 Effet of NCl on the dry weight of leves of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

72 Fresh weight of fruits per plnt(g) 72 Figure 4.37 shows the differenes in the fruits fresh weight of the two hyrids nd the tomto rootstok. The differenes etween the two hyrids re not siqnifint. The tomto fruts hd differenes in fresh weight t ll onentrtions ut only t 100, 150 nd 200mM NCl the differenes were sttistilly signifint,. The S. torvum plnts did not produe ny fruits Hn Vernin Resistr mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Figure 4.37 Effet of NCl on the fresh weight of fruits of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. At Figure 4.38 the dry weight of the fruits of the Hn plnts ws igger thn the Vernin plnts t the onentrtions of 25, 50 nd 100mM. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

73 Stem fresh weight per plnt(g) Dry weight of fruits per plnt(g) mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Hn Vernin Resistr Figure 4.38 Effet of NCl on the dry weight of fruits of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. At Figure 4.39 Hn hd igger differenes ompred to other plnt types in the fresh weight of the stem. In Hn, stem fresh weight did not hnged signifintly up to 100 mm NCl, while Vernin hd no signifint differenes. In the ontrry t 12, 5 mm NCl the stem men fresh weight ws signifintly higher thn in the ontrol plnts d d d d d Hn Vernin S.torvum Resistr 0 0 mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NClConentrtion Figure 4.39 Effet of irrigted NCl on the stem fresh weight of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

74 Stem dry weight per plnt(g) 74 At Figure 4.40 the dry weight of the stem hd not mny signifint differenes in ll ses exept Hn. The stem dry weight ws signifintly redused in 100, 150 nd 200 mm mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Hn Vernin S.torvum Resistr Figure 4.40 Effet of irrigted NCl on the stem dry weight of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7weeks.Brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test K nd Cl onentrtion. In Figure 4.41 it is shown the perentge onentrtion of K + in dry tissue. Even t higher onentrtions of NCl tretment Vernin hs ig mount of K + in the tissues. Hn hs lso high onentrtions of K + ut t 100 mm nd higher onentrtions, there is signifint redution. In Resistr nd S.torvum there were signifint redutions t 25 mm NCl nd higher onentrtions. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

75 % onentrtion K / grmm tissue d d Resistr S.torvum Hn Vernin mM 12.5mM 25mM 50mM 100mM 150mM 200mM NCl Conentrtion Figure 4.41 Effet of irrigted NCl on the K onentrtion of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two future rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. In Figure 4.42 it is shown the onentrtion of N + / grm dry tissue. No mtter how smll, Vernin hs the higher sorption t 200 mm, S. Torvum is higher only in 12,5,50 nd 150 mm S.torvum hs the igger N sorption t ll onentrtions exept the 100mM. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

76 % onentrtion N /grmm dry tissue d d d e d d d 0mM 12.5mM 25mM 50mM 100mM 150mM 200mM Conentrtion Resistr S.torvum Hn Vernin Figure 4.42 Effet of NCl on the N onentrtion of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) nd two future rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. 4.3 Grfted plnts in hydroponi ulture in perlite. The mesurements were tken for seven weeks. After this period the plnts hd mjor lef loss, espeilly t the higher onentrtions mking unle to tke mesurements. Also the temperture ws strting to fll during the period of the experiment using n extr stress to the plnts. All the plnt types were grfted. In the setions elow re presented the results for eh speies nd hyrid regrding the height (m), the numer of fully developed leves, the hlorophyll fluoresene nd the hlorophyll ontent nd photosyntheti rte. At the end of the experiment the fresh nd dry weight of eh prt of the plnt ws mesured. The roots were not mesured euse these plnts will e used in the future experiment s grfted plnts. Also the K + nd N + onentrtion in the tissues were mesured. The verge tempertures for the months tht the experiment lsted were presented t Tle 4.3: Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

77 77 Tle 4.3 Month DAY NIGHT Septemer Otoer Novemer The ove verges were lulted from the dt whih were tken from the dt logger inside the greenhouse tht the experiment took ple Plnt height. The plnts of the Hn/S.torvum were ffeted y the slinity. The plnt height t the 100, 150 nd 200mM onentrtions of NCl were progressively lower (figure 4.43) showing smller rte of growth. The effet on the height of the plnts strted fter the fifth week of the experiment. The verge height of the plnts of the hyrid Vernin/S.torvum (Fig 4.43) lso ws ffeted y slinity. The higher onentrtion of 200mM presented the smller growth rte ompred to the other onentrtions from the week five. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

78 78 Fig 4.43 Effet of the irrigtion wter slinity on the verge height of Hn/S.torvum nd Vernin/S.torvum eggplnts fter ulture in perlite for seven, irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. The plnts of the Hn/tomto (Fig 4.44) t the onentrtions of 200 nd 100mM hve shown lower height inrese thn the other onentrtions. Figure 4.44 shows Vernin/tomto plnts height, whih ws not ffeted t the lower onentrtions. In the higher two onentrtions of 150 nd 200mM the height of the plnts ws ffeted, showing signifintly smller growth thn the other onentrtions. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

79 79 Fig 4.44 Effet of the irrigtion wter slinity on the verge height of Hn/tomto nd Vernin/tomto eggplnts fter ulture in perlite for seven, irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. As show in Figure 4.45, Vernin/S.torvum hd differenes with the Vernin/tomto plnts. All the grfted plnts hd sttistil differenes lthough the results were different with Vernin grfted to tomto giving etter results. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

80 HEIGHT (CM) d e e d de de d d d de d d d Hn/S.torvum Vernin/S.torvum Hn/tomto Vernin/tomto mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Figure 4.45 Effet of NCl on the height of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks, nd irrigted with 0mM, 12.5mM, 25mM, 50mM, 100mM, 150mM nd 200mM NCl.Brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test Effet of Nl tretments on t numer of leves. The numer of fully developed leves of Hn/S.torvum plnts ws ffeted y the slinity from the fifth week of the experiment. The lowest numers of leves were t the 200mM onentrtion. The ontrol plnts strted losing leves s well. All the onentrtions were ffeted fter the week five. Control plnts strted losing leves fter the week five s well. The ontrol lost pproximtely 1, 3 leves from eh plnt. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

81 81 Fig.4.36 Effet of slinity on the verge numer of fully developed leves of Hn/S.torvum nd Vernin/S.torvum eggplnts ultured hydroponilly for seven weeks, irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. In Fig 4.37 elow is presenting the effet of slinity on lef numer of Hn/tomto plnts. The leves strted flling fter the fifth week. The onentrtion hd similr results. The results onerning the numer of the leves of Vernin/tomto plnts re shown in Figure Here plnts treted with the two higher onentrtions of NCl, lost more leves thn plnts in lower onentrtions. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

82 82 Fig 4.37 Effet of slinity on the verge numer of fully developed leves of Hn/tomto nd Vernin/tomto eggplnts ultured hydroponilly for seven weeks, irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. All the plnt types did not hve ny signifint sttistil differenes t ll onentrtions. Better results hd the Vernin/tomto plnts. At the 200mM onentrtion the results were without signifint differenes. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

83 Numer of leves Hn/S.torvum Vernin/S.torvum Hn/tomto 2 Vernin/tomto mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Figure 4.38 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions in the verge numer of fully developed leves of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test Effet of NCl tretments on Chlorophyll ontent. The hlorophyll ontent of Hn/S.torvum eggplnts ws redued t the higher onentrtions of NCl (Fig 4.39) fter the third week of the experiment. At onentrtions of 100mM ws similr with the lower onentrtions. The hlorophyll ontent in Vernin grfted plnts ws lso negtively ffeted t ll the onentrtions (Fig 4.39) fter the week three. The two highest onentrtions hd similr result t the end of the experiment. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

84 84 Fig 4.39 Effet of slinity in the verge hlorophyll ontent of Hn/S.torvum nd Vernin/S.torvum eggplnts ultured hydroponilly for seven weeks, irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. The lef hlorophyll ontent of Hn/tomto eggplnts, (Fig 4.40) ws ffeted t ll the onentrtion. After the fifth week the hlorophyll ontent ws redued further, espeilly t the onentrtion of 150mM. The effet of slinity on the lef hlorophyll ontent of Vernin/tomto plnts is shown in Fig 4.40 Chlorophyll ontent ws ffeted t ll the onentrtions fter the third week. The highest onentrtions hd similr results t the end of the experiment. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

85 85 Fig 4.40 Effet of slinity in the verge hlorophyll ontent of leves of Hn/tomto nd Vernin/tomto eggplnts ultured hydroponilly for seven weeks, irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. All plnt types exept the Vernin/torvum hd sttistil differene t the higher onentrtion with the others. At the onentrtion of 200mM there ws not ny signifint differene mong the grfted plnts ut there ws differene with Vernin grfted to S.torvum showing etter response. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

86 CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT (CCI) Hn/S.torvum Vernin/S.torvum Hn/tomto 0 Vernin/tomto 0 0 mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion (mm) Figure 4.40 Comprison of different NCl onentrtions in the verge numer of hlorophyll ontent of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) on grfted rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test Effet of NCl onentrtions on the hlorophyll fluoresene. The verge hlorophyll fluoresene of Hn/S.torvum eggplnts ws redued t the onentrtions of 100 nd 200mM fter week three, with the iggest differene from the other onentrtions. The hlorophyll fluoresene of Vernin/S.torvum eggplnts (Fig 4.41) hd similr results t the end of the experiment exept t ll onentrtions. The 12.5mM onentrtions ws ffeted less t the end of the experiment. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

87 87 Fig 4.41 Effet of slinity on the lef hlorophyll fluoresene of Hn/S.torvum nd Vernin/S.torvum eggplnts ultured hydroponilly for seven weeks, irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. Slinity ffeted the hlorophyll fluoresene t ll the onentrtions (Fig 4.42) of the Hn/tomto eggplnts fter the fifth week. The onentrtion of 150mM ws ffeted more thn the other onentrtions t the end of the experiment. Slinity ffeted the lef hlorophyll fluoresene t ll the onentrtions of the Vernin/tomto eggplnts Fig (4.42) ompred to the ontrol, whih lso showed smll deline. Exept from the onentrtion of nd 100mM the rest hd similr results t the end of the experiment. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

88 88 Fig 4.42 Effet of slinity on the lef hlorophyll fluoresene of Hn/Resistr eggplnts hydroponilly ultured for seven weeks, irrigted with NCl t different onentrtions. All plnt types t the sttistil nlysis of hlorophyll floresene did not hve mny differenes. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

89 CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE (Fv/Fm) Hn/S.torvum Vernin/S.torvum Hn/tomto Vernin/tomto mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Figure 4.43 ffet of NCl on the lef hlorophyl fluoresene of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on differend rootstoks (tomto hyrid Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test Effet of NCl tretments on Photosyntheti rte. Aording to Fig.4.44 the photosyntheti rte ws redued during the experiment t ll plnt types. At the highest onetrtion ll the plnt types hd similr results ut in midle-rnge onentrtion did not. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

90 Photosyntheti rte (μmol m-2 S-1) d d hn/s.torv. Vernin/S.torv. Hn/tomto Vernin/tomto 0 0mM 12,5mM 25mM 50mM 100mM 150mM 200mM NCl Conentrtion Figure 4.44 Effet of NCl on the lef photosyntheti rte of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test Fresh nd dry weight. At the tles elow the fresh nd dry weight of different prts of the plnts is presented. In figure 4.45 the fresh weight of the leves. The Hn/resistr plnts hd the iggest fresh weight. Also the Vernin/resistr plnts hd differenes fter the25mm onentrtion. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

91 Dry weight of leves per plnt(g) Fresh weight of leves per plnt(gr) e de de d 0 mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Hn/S.t Vernin/S.t Hn/tomto Vernin/tomto Figure 4.45 Effet of NCl on the fresh weight of leves of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. Figure 4.46 shows the dry weight of the leves. The hyrids grfted on tomto plnts hd the iggest dry weight. At the onentrtion of 200mM ll plnts hd no sttistil differenes d d d Hn/S.t Vernin/S.t Hn/tomto Vernin/tomto 0 0 mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm Conentrtion Figure 4.46 Effet of NCl on the dry weight of leves of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

92 Dry weight /plnt(grmm) of fruits 92 In dry weight of fruits the grfted Vernin/tomto results hd differenes with the other plnts up to the 50mM tretments. On the other hnd, hd similr results with the rest grfted plnts in the higher onentrtion. Also there were no siqnifint differenes in the 200mM tretment mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm Conentrtion Figure 4.47 Effet of NCl on the fresh weight of fruits of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. Figure 4.48 shows the differenes in the fresh fruits of the grfted plnts. At the 0mM onentrtion the Vernin grfted plnts hd the iggest weight ut t the highest netrtion plnts hd similr results. Although Hn / S.torvum produed less thn Vernin /S.torvum this hnged t higher onentrtions Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

93 Fresh weight /plnt(grmm) of fruits de e d 0 mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Hn/S.t Vernin/S.t Hn/tomto Vernin/tomto Figure 4.48 Effet of NCl on the fresh weight of fruits of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) on grfted rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. At figure 4.49 the dry weight of the Vernin/tomto plnts ws igger thn the other plnt types. Also t the higher onentrtion ll the plnt types hd similr results with no signifint differenes. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

94 Stem fresh weight per plnt(g) Stem dry weight per plnt(g) d d d d d d d d 0 mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Hn/S.t Vernin/S.t Hn/tomto Vernin/tomto Figure 4.49 Effet of NCl on the dry weight of fruits of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. At figure 4.50 Hn/tomto plnts hd ig differene t ll onentrtions from the other plnt types t their stem fresh weight. There were no signifint differenes in the 200mM tretments d d 0 mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Hn/S.t Vernin/S.t Hn/tomto Vernin/tomto Figure 4.50 Effet of NCl on the fresh weight of stem of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

95 Stem dry weight per plnt(g) 95 At figure 4.51 s in fresh weigh the Hn/resistr hd the iggest dry weight t lmost ll onetrtions from the other plnt types. The sme hd Vernin/tomto nd Vernin/S.torvum d d d d 0 mm 12,5 mm 25 mm 50 mm 100 mm 150 mm 200 mm NCl Conentrtion Hn/S.t Vernin/S.t Hn/tomto Vernin/tomto Figure 4.51 Effet of NCl on the dry weight of stem of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test K nd Cl onentrtion. In figure 4.52 it is shown the onentrtion of K + / grm dry tissue. Exept from the ontrol plnts the rest onentrtions hd similr results with etter results of Hn /tomto. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

96 % onentrtion N /grmm dry tissue % onentrtion K / grmm tissue mM 12.5mM 25mM 50mM 100mM 150mM 200mM NCl Conentrtion H./Storvum Vern./S.torvum H./tomto. Verni./tomto. Figure 4.52 Effet of NCl on the K onentrtion of tissues of eggplnt hyrids (Hn, Vernin) grfted on rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. In figure 4.53 it is shown the onentrtion of N / grm dry tissue. The Hn/S.torvum hd in lmost ll onentrtions the iggest N onentrtion. On the other hnd Vernin/tomto hs the lowest d 0mM 12.5mM 25mM 50mM 100mM 150mM 200mM NCl Conentrtion H./Storvum Vern./S.torvum H./tomto. Verni./tomto. Figure 4.53 Effet of NCl on N onentrtion of eggplnts hyrids (Hn, Vernin) on grfted rootstoks (Hyrid tomto Resistr nd Solnum torvum) fter ulture in perlite for 7 weeks.brs with the sme olor, followed y the sme letter re not signifintly different t p = 5% level, using Dunn s test. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

97 Enzyme tivity In Tle 4.4 the enzyme tivity of APX is represented for the grfted plnt types. A the higher onentrtions the enzyme tivity ws deresed t ll plnt types. Hn/resistr hd the iggest enzyme tivity. Tle 4.4: Effet of NCl on totl tivity of APX in leves of grfted eggplnts ultured in perlite for 7 weeks. NCl Totl tivity of APX ( U mg FW ) Conentrtion Hn/S.torvum Vernin/S.torvum Hn/resistr Vernin/resistr 0 Mm 0,061 0,084 0,079 0,070 12,5 mm 0,061 0,062 0,041 0,099 d 25 mm 0,053 0,049 0,063 0, mm 0,049 0,059 0,112 0,107 d 100 mm 0,023 0,029 0,022 0, mm 0,008 0,005 0,027 0, Mm 0,009 0,012 0,022 0,009 In Tle 4.5 the tivity of GPX is represented for the grfted plnt types. At the highest onentrtion the iggest enzyme tivity hd the Vernin/resistr plnts. Tle 4.5: Effet of NCl on totl tivity of GPX in leves of grfted eggplnts ultured in perlite for 7 weeks. NCl Totl tivity of GPX ( U mg FW ) Conentrtion Hn/S.torvum Vernin/S.torvum Hn/resistr Vernin/resistr 0 Mm 0,054 0,118 0,145 0,145 12,5 mm 0,087 0,060 0,055 0, mm 0,167 0,080 0,214 0, mm 0,124 0,379 0,115 0,378 d 100 mm 0,280 0,217 0,054 0, mm 0,426 0,061 0,251 0, Mm 0,179 0,229 0,089 0,262 d Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

98 98 In Tle 4.6 the tivity of POD is represented for the grfted plnt types. A the higher onentrtions the enzyme tivity ws similr t the four plnt types. Tle 4.6: Effet of NCl on totl tivity of POD in leves of grfted eggplnts ultured in perlite for 7 weeks. NCl Totl tivity of POD ( U mg FW ) Conentrtion Hn/S.torvum Vernin/S.torvum Hn/resistr Vernin/resistr 0 Mm 0,004 0,003 0,004 0,004 12,5 mm 0,003 0,002 0,002 0, mm 0,002 0,002 0,002 0, mm 0,003 0,003 0,004 0, mm 0,004 0,003 0,003 0, mm 0,002 0,002 0,003 0, Mm 0,003 0,003 0,002 0,003 Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

99 5. DISCUSION Slinity s ioti stress ftor ffets glyophytes in mny prt of their funtion. Plnt height nd numer of leves n e n inditor of growth rte. Aording to Fernndez-Munoz (1999) redution of height is n djustment of plnts to higher onentrtions of slinity. In ll three experiments the height ws redued s the slt onentrtion ws getting higher. Similr result hve een reported t herry (Ppdkis et l 2007), per trees (Okuo et l 2000) nd pple trees (Motosugi et l 1987). In the results from the experiment in soil the Hn plnts nd the Vernin hd similr results s it onerns the height. Both plnt types t the three NCl lower onentrtions hd similr height nd lso similr results in the ontrol plnts. At100 nd 150 nd 200mM tretments, show redued growth rte in oth plnt types. In se of Vernin t 150 nd 200mM tretments, the height stilized in the two lst mesurements (weeks 7 nd week 9). On the other hnd Hn plnts ontinued to grow in lower NCl onentrtions. The prdox from these mesurements ws tht lthough the differenes were similr when ompred to the ontrol, they hd similr results with the lowest onentrtions of slt. For the Hn plnts 25mM nd for the Vernin plnts 12.5mM gve similr results with the ontrol plnts. The two plnt types tht they were s rootstoks showed more differenes of the height. Tht is proly euse of the different plnt types. The tomto plnts were more roust thn the S. torvum nd if the two higher onentrtions re exluded, the plnts reted well to slinity, up to 100 mm. The S. torvum plnts were not s roust s the tomto plnts ut they seem to e more resistnt to slinity during the period of the experiment. For the tomto (Resistr) the slinity strted to ffet plnts height fter the third week showing etter slt tolerne. By the lst mesurements the differenes were lerer for eh onentrtion. The onentrtions of 200mM show the redution in growth rte nd the onentrtions of 100 nd 150mM hd signifint differenes, with the onentrtions of nd 50mM. The onentrtions of nd 50mM gve similr results s the lst mesurements nd this ould e the slt tolerne of this plnt type. The S.torvum plnts showed very different ehvior. The height ws smller thn the Resistr plnt ut the slt tolerne ws muh higher. The plnts were hving 99 Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

100 100 similr results in lmost ll onentrtions even t week 9, with the exeption of the 200mM. This shows higher slt tolerne of tht plnt type up to 150mM NCl. In the speifi the two eggplnts hd similr results in height nd, the Vernin plnts hd etter response. Both plnt types in the onentrtions of 150 nd 200mM were ffeted negtively thn in the rest onentrtions. Also t this experiment the ontrol plnts did not hve the est results ompred with the three lowest NCl onentrtions. For the Resistr nd S.torvum the results were different. The Resistr plnts hd etter response t the slinity even t the onentrtion of 100mM. For the S.torvum plnts only the three lower onentrtions hd similr results with the onentrtions of 150 nd 200mM in oth plnt types presenting further redution. The height results were smller thn the experiment in soil nd tht ould e explined with etter onditions in light whih gve more ompt plnts ut with etter growth s it ould e seen in the leves results. The grfted plnt in hydroponi ulture experiment shows tht ll plnt types were ffeted. The Hn nd Vernin grfted with tomto hd similr results in the mximum heights On the other hnd grfted to S.torvum the mximum heights were signifint lower. Similr results were lso t slinity tolerne for eh onentrtion. Similr differenes hd lso in the previous experiments when the tomto nd S.torvum used s self-rooted. Tht is n inditor slinity response when grfted or not. Compring the two sions Vernin nd Hn when grfted to S.torvum hd similr results in lmost ll onentrtions, ut when grfted to tomto Vernin hd slightly etter to slinity response up to 100mM NCl. Tht might show etter reltion etween rootstok nd sion. Reports of studying grfted tomto plnts (Lee 1994 nd Ionnou et l 2002) found tht were more vigorous nd tller s self routed. Numer of leves is lso n importnt ftor tht ould e ffeted from slinity nd ould lso e mesured s growth inditor of plnts. In height results the Vernin plnts hd etter results in the lef numer nd the Hn plnts lthough they hd similr results up to third week, t fifth week the lef loss ws fster thn the Vernin plnts whih strted fter fifth week. Vernin t onentrtions of 150 nd 200mM hd lower numer of leves ompred to Hn. Compring the tomto nd S.torvum plnts the results were not in reltion with the height. The S.torvum plnts did not keep the leves in ll onentrtions fter seventh Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

101 101 week Tomto showed etter response up to the onentrtion of 100mM. Tht might hs to do with the wy the two different plnt types hndle the onentrtions of N + t leves spes. Another ftor tht might hve ffeted the numer of leve ws the lower tempertures from the other two experiments. The results from hydroponi experiment the two Hyrids were different s in soil. The Hn plnts hd etter response ompred to the Vernin plnts t the lst week mesurement, ut t the mentime of experiment the Vernin hd etter verge numer of leves. The two rootstoks ehve similr s in soil experiment. The tomto gve igger verge numer of leves ut oth plnt types strted lef loss fter fifth week nd lso hd the lowest numer of leves in the two lst onentrtions of 150 nd 200mM NCl. Compring the verge numer of leves in ll onentrtions to the soil ultivtion the seond experiment hd etter results due to the etter onditions for plnts tht were t the greenhouse. In the experiment with grfted plnts, the four plnt types hd similr results. All plnts were ffeted y slinity fter the fifth week with higher onentrtions presenting the igger lef loss. Although the results were expeted for the slinity onentrtion they did not hd signifint differenes ple to result whih of grfted plnts responded etter to slinity. Chlorophyll ontent is one of the prmeters of slinity tolerne in ultivrs (Herndez et l., 1995; Srivstv et l., 1998). Gri-Snhez et.l., (2002) in itrus ultivrs nd Ppdkis et l. (2007) in two vrieties of herries the deresed hlorophyll ontent in itrus ultivrs hppened due to the high onentrtions of N + nd Cl - ions in the leves. In soil experiment the Vernin plnts in first mesurements hd higher numers in Chlorophyll ontent then they were seems to e ffeted more thn the Hn plnts t the end of the mesurements. Both plnt types t the end of the experiment showed tht they were ffeted from the slinity in ll onentrtions nd the results from the lst mesurement were similr. The results of tomto nd S.torvum were etter for S.torvum. The S.torvum hd higher hlorophyll onentrtion in the durtion of the experiment thn the tomto. At the lst week of the experiment the S.torvum plnts hd higher numers ompred to the tomto. In the hydroponi experiment the results were similr ompred to the soil ultivtion. The Vernin plnts hlorophyll ontent hd etter response ompred to the Hn plnts. Compring the two rootstoks the S.torvum plnts hd etter results thn the tomto. The S.torvum plnts t the lst week of mesurements in the Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

102 102 onentrtion of 200mM hd no signifint differenes. The tomto fter the third week hd redution in the hlorophyll ontent. The grfted plnts in the third experiment using the tomto s rootstok, the Vernin plnts hd etter response to slinity thn the Hn. On the other hnd using S.torvum s rootstok the Hn plnts hd etter results ompred to Vernin. Vernin t the lst mesurement hd further redution of hlorophyll ontent in ll onentrtions from the third week. Similr results gve when used with tomto s rootstok. Chlorophyll fluoresene sme s hlorophyll ontent ould e ffeted y inresed slinity. In the soil experiment ll plnt types were ffet t ll onentrtions. They were not ny signifint differenes tht ould give ler result for the etter response to the different slinity tretments. In hydroponi ultivtion the Vernin plnts hd etter response thn the Hn plnts. Although t the lst mesurement seventh week the differenes were not signifint. As it onerns the tomto nd S.torvum the results show tht tomto hd etter response s previous the differenes were not signifint. At the experiment with grfted plnts oth Vernin nd Hn hd similr results when grfted t tomto thn grfted with S.torvum, Vernin ws ffeted more thn the Hn. All onentrtions exept 12.5mM nd ontrol plnts showed signifint redution t hlorophyll fluoresene. At this experiment s in previous the results were similr presenting tht ll plnt types were ffeted y slinity nd the hlorophyll fluoresene ould e used s inditor for mesuring slinity responses. The sme ould e in effet for the photosyntheti rte. In the soil experiment the Hn plnts were ffeted more thn the Vernin plnts. The differenes strted t the onentrtion of 25mM up to t the onentrtion of 100mM. The rootstoks lso ffeted, with S.torvum plnts giving etter results thn tomto. The iggest differenes were t 100mM NCl. All four plnt types t the onentrtion of 200mM hd extremely low photosyntheti rte. At seond experiment the results were similr s the soil experiment. The higher onentrtion hd higher numers of rtes thn in soil. The Hn plnts did not hve signifint differenes with thevernin plnts, exept in the onentrtion of 100mM NCl. The onentrtion of 200mM Vernin hd etter results ompred to Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

103 103 Hn ut not signifint one to prove the etter tolerne from Hn. The tomto t this experiment hd similr results with S.torvum plnts, s previously the onentrtion of 100mM hd slight etter results for the S.torvum. The grfted plnts experiment lso gve similr results s the previous experiments for the finl mesurements of photosyntheti rte. The Hn when grfted to tomto ompred to the S.torvum hd etter slinity response. The Vernin plnts hd opposite results when grfted to tomto nd ompred to the S.torvum. Also t this experiment the onentrtion of 100mM seems to e the limit of tolerne for the Hn plnts s well s grfted. The results for ll experiments of the photosyntheti rte, hlorophyll ontent nd hlorophyll fluoresene were similr in the mjority of the onentrtions, despite the ft tht the experiment of soil nd the other two were under different externl wether onditions suh s sun light durtion nd tempertures. This might show tht prt from slinity these inditors did not ffet the mesurement. Slt stress results in onsiderle derese in the fresh nd dry weights of leves, stems, tillers, fertile tillers, roots nd grin yield (Chrtzoulkis nd Klpki 2000). It is pprent tht soil slinity rnge hs n importnt determintive effet on fruit yield of eggplnt ut not on fruit numer. At the experiment in soil, the fresh weight of stem, tomto hd signifint differene from the S.torvum nd the sme s in dry weight. The Hn nd Vernin plnts lthough they hd similr results t fresh weight, the dry weight results show higher dry weight of Hn t ll onentrtions. Compring the results with the hydroponi ultivtion experiment we hd similr results s it onerns the plnt types itself, the minimum nd mximum numers were higher thn in the soil ultivtion. This ould e reltive to the result of height. As previously the Hn hd signifint differenes from the Vernin. The two rootstoks hd ig differenes with etter results of S.torvum. In the onentrtion of 150 nd 200mM the results were similr. As in the photosyntheti rte results the 100mM seems to e limit for the rte of growth of the plnts. For the grfted plnt experiment, the Hn grfted to tomto hd the iggest weight in fresh nd in dry weight s lso. The rest of grfted plnt types hd similr results t ll onentrtions with smll differene of Vernin grfted to tomto s well. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

104 104 Considering the results from the numer of leves we ould expet similr results for the fresh nd dry weight of them. In soil experiment the Hn nd Vernin plnts hd similr results up to the onentrtion of 100, ut in 150 nd 200mM the Hn hd igger weight numers thn Vernin. The dry weight of Hn leves ws signifint igger thn ll other plnt types t ll onentrtions. The tomto ompred to S.torvum plnts lso hs signifint differenes t ll onentrtions t fresh nd dry weight. The S.torvum plnts hve similr results t ll onentrtions nd seem not to e ffeted s the other plnt types. At the hydroponi ultivtion in oth fresh nd dry weight Hn hs the signifint differenes ompred to the Vernin plnts. The dry weight of Vernin did not ffeted t ll onentrtions, lthough there were smll differenes t fresh weight nd more speifi t the onentrtions of 100,150 nd 200mM. The dry weight lso hs similr results with the ontrol plnts. The two rootstoks hd similr results with the exeption of ontrol plnts ompred with other onentrtion nd s previously the onentrtion of 100mM nd more were limit for leve mss. At the grfted results, Hn grfted to tomto hd the igger weight followed y Vernin grfted to tomto s well. The rootstok of S.torvum hd lower weight t with oth sions nd t ll onentrtions. The 12.5 nd 200mM ompred to the rest onentrtions hd similr results. Tht hppens t oth grfted plnt types with S.torvum. The overll differenes t leve weight were the mximum nd minimum numers in soil ompred with the hydroponi experiments, ould e explined with the etter onditions tht existed in the lst two experiments. It is pprent tht soil slinity rnge hs n importnt determintive effet on fruit yield of eggplnt ut not on fruits numer. In other words, deresed yield of eggplnt ws not result of deresed fruit numer in plnt ut deresed men fruit weight (Shlhevet et l 1983). Also Svvs nd Lenz (2000) stted tht the detrimentl effets of moderte slinity on the yield of hydroponilly grown eggplnts re due only to deresed men fruit weight. This yield response of eggplnt ws oserved t EC vlues up to 8.1 ds m_1. The fruit weight t the first experiment show signifint differene in tomto plnt nd eggplnts. More speifi the eggplnt lmost did produe ny fruit t the onentrtions of 150 nd 200mM. The dry weight hd similr results. Tht shows mjor ffetion of eggplnt rop prodution ompred to the tomto. In the seond Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

105 105 experiment the results differ. The eggplnts seemed to hve etter results in fruit prodution thn tomto ut when ompred the two eggplnts, the Hn ws ffeted less thn Vernin. At the third experiment where ll plnt types produed fruits up to the onentrtion of 100mM nd then there ws redution to prodution nd lso to dry weight s well. The Vernin grfted to tomto hs etter results up to 50mM ut in higher onentrtion the Hn plnts were etter grfted to oth rootstoks. One more there were signifint differenes in mximum nd minimum numers ompring soil nd Hydroponi ulture. Akını et l. (2004) reported tht inresing NCl in the solution led to derese in the K/N rtio nd inresed N in severl eggplnt vrieties. Their investigtion showed tht s NCl onentrtion inresed, N ontent inresed in leves inditing tht the eggplnt (whih hs glyophyti retion) ould not ontrol uptke of N. At the first experiment the Hn plnts were more tolernt t slt euse of the N onentrtion results. The K onentrtion ws redued t higher onentrtion t ll plnt types nd Hn plnt ompred with Vernin hs slightly etter results up to the onentrtion of 200mM. S.torvum plnts sored the greter mounts of N proly in leves nd tht ould explin the smll numers in leves mesurements. The self rooted hydroponi experiment s it onerns the N onentrtion ll four plnt types hd similr results ut in K onentrtion the Vernin plnts ffeted less thn Hn. For the grfted experiment there were no signifint differenes s it onerns the K sorption t ll four plnt types. As it ws ment to e the higher the N onentrtion eme with lower K onentrtions. On the other hnd t N onentrtion Hn grfted to S. torvum seems to e ffeted more thn the other plnt types. At 200mM the plnt grfted with tomto gve etter results thn the grfted to S.torvum. In most reported experiments onerning ntioxidnt enzyme tivity under slinity stress, the stress ws imposed to plnts for few dys only or few weeks. For exmple in lflf for seven dys (Wng et l., 2009) nd in Cssi for five nd seven dys, (Agrwl nd Pndey 2004). A possiility is tht fter long period under slinity stress the ntioxidnt enzyme tivity hnges. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

106 106 Unfortuntely there were no signifint hnges in the tivity of POD s the onentrtions inresed in ll plnt types. The GPX tivity Hn grfted to torvum ws ffeted y slinity. There ws n inresed GPX tivity up to 150mM. Higher tivity ws presented t Vernin grfted to tomto nd S.torvum ut only up to the 50mM onentrtion. At APX enzyme tivity the results were not ler for ll plnt types. Only inresed tivity ws mesured t the onentrtion of 50mM for Hn nd Vernin when grfted to tomto thn grfted to S.torvum. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

107 Generl onlusions nd Future work. Affeted ll the plnts types grfted or not. Stronger effet t the 50mM nd higher. Grfting improved slinity tolerne. Enzyme tivity did not hve ler results. Future work For future work we ould e ontinue the: Reserh trying different K onentrtions to the hydroponi reipe. Further reserh t fruit prodution nd if tste of them is ffeted from slinity. Trying other eggplnt hyrids s grfted Mesuring the weight of roots of rootstoks might help to define slinity tolerne. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

108 REFERENCES. Agrwl S. nd Pndey V Antioxidnt enzyme responses to NCl stress in Cssi ngustifoli Akini IE Akini S, Yilmz K, Dikii H. (2004),. Response of eggplnt vrieties to slinity in germintion nd seedling. Akını IE, Akını S, Yılmz K, Dıkıı H Response of eggplnt vrieties (Solnum melongen) to slinity in germintion nd seedling Ashrf M. (1994). Breeding for slinity tolerne in plnts. Ashrf M. nd Hrris P.J.C (2004) Potentil iohemil inditors of slinity tolerne in plnts. Ashrf M.(2004). Some importnt physiologil seletion riteri for slt tolerne in plnts. Ayers Rnd Wesot W. (1985) Wter qulity for griulture. Behoudin M.H (1977) Response of eggplnt to drought. I. Plnt wter lne. Bohnert H.J nd R.G Jensen (1996). Strtegies for engineering wter stress tolerne in plnts. Bresler E, MNel BL, Crter DL. (1982) Sline nd Sodi Soils. Chne B, Mehly AC (1995) Assy of tlse nd peroxidses. Methods Enzymol. Chrtzoulkis K, Klpki G Response of two green house pepper hyrids to NCl slinity during different growth stges. Chrtzoulkis K.S, M.H Loupsski (1996). Effets of NCl slinity in germintion, growth, gs exhnge nd yield of greenhouse eggplnt. Chrtzoulkis K.S, M.H Loupsski (2000). Response of two green house pepper hyrids to NCl slinity during different growth stges. Chen G., Wng R.(2008). Effets of slinity on growth nd onentrtions of sodium, potssium nd lium in grfted uumer seedlings. Chen S.H., Zhu Y.L., Liu Y.L., Li S.J. (2005). Effets of NCl stress on tivities of protetive enzymes, ontents of osmoti djustments sustnes nd photosyntheti hrteristis in grfted tomto seedlings. Coll, G, Fns, S. Crdrelli, M. Rouphel, Y. Srdo, F.Grifenerg, A.. Curdi. (2005). Evlution of slt tolerne in rootstoks of Cuuritee. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

109 109 Crmer G.R, Luhli A., Politi V.S. (1985). Displement of lium y sodium from the plsmlemm of root ells. Devitt D., Jrrell W.M., Stevens K.L.(1981). Sodium-potssium rtios in soil solution nd plnt response under sline onditions. Dhinds R.S Plump-Dhinds, P.Thrope (1981). Lef orrelted with inresed levels of memrne permeility nd lipid peroxidtion, nd deresed levels of superoxide dismutse nd tlse. Dumroff E.B nd Cooper A. (1974) Effets of slt stress pplied in lned nutrient solutions t severl stges during growth of tomto. Edelstein M., Ben-Hur M., Cohen R., Burger Y., Rvin I. (2005) Boron nd slinity effets on grfted nd non grfted melon plnts. Estn M.T., Mrtinez-Rodriguez M.M., Perez-Alfoe F., Flowers T.J., Bolrin M.C. (2005). Grfting rises the slt tolerne of tomto through limiting the trnsport of sodium nd hloride to the shoot. FAO, Sttistil Yerook FAO FAO Lnd nd plnt nutrition servie mngement. Fernndez-Gri N., Mrtinez V., Crvjl M.(2004). Effet of slinity on growth, minerl omposition nd wter reltions of grfted tomto plnts. GoI.I. Zhng L., Qin A.G., Yu X.C.,(2008) Reltive expression of SOD nd CAT mrna nd tivities of SOD nd CAT in grfted uumer leves under NCl stress. Gri-Snhez F., Jifon J.L., Crvjl M., Syvertsen J.P., (2002). Gs exhnge, hlorophyll nd nutrient ontents in reltion to N + nd Cl - umultion in Sunurst mndrin grfted on different rootstoks. Goret S., Buevi-Popovi V., Selk G.V., Pvel-Vrni M., Peris S. (2008). Vegettive growth, superoxide dismutse tivity nd ion onentrtion of sltstressed wtermelon s influened y rootstok. Grttn S.R, Grieve C.M (1999). Slinity-minerl nutrient reltions in hortiulturl rops. Greenwy H. nd Munns, R. (1980). Mehnisms of slt tolerne in nonhlophytes. Hsegwq, P.M, Bressn R.A, Zhu J.K nd Roert H.J (2000). Plnt ellulr nd moleulr responses to high slinity. He Y., Zhu Z.J., Yng J., Ni X.L., Zhu B.(2009) grfting inreses the slt tolerne of tomto y improvement of photosynthesis nd enhnement of ntioxidnt enzyme tivity. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

110 110 Hernndej J.A., E. Olmos, F.J Corps, F. Servill nd L.A del Rio, (1995) Sltindued oxidtives stress in hloroplsts of pe plnts, Plnt Si. 105 Heuer B., Meiri A. nd Shlever J. (1986). Slt tolerene of eggplnt. Hu Y. nd Shmidhltrer U. (2005). Drought nd slinity: A omprison of their effets on minerl nutrition of plnts. Hung Y., Zhu J., Zhen A., Chen L., Bie Z.L. (2009) Orgni nd inorgni solutes umultion in the leves nd roots of grfted nd ungrfted uumer plnts in response to NCl stress. Ionnou, N., M. Ionnou nd K. Hdjiprskevs, Evlution of wtermelon rootstoks for off-seson prodution in heted greenhouses. Jithesh M.N, Prshnth S.R, Sivprksh K.R nd Prid A.K (2006).Antioxidnt response mehnisms in hlophytes: Their role in stress defense. Knight, H. Trewvs, A.J& Knight M.R (1997) Clium signling in Aridopsis Thlin responding to drought nd slinity. Koh J, S. Spiegel-Roy (1977). Differenes in peroxidse tivity nd isoenzymesin emyogeni nd non-emryogeni "Shmouti" ornge ovulr llus lines. Konstntinidou E.A (2003) Plnt physiology in iot stress. Lee, J.M Cultivtion of grfted vegetles I, urrent sttus, grfting methods nd enefits. Levine A Oxidnte stress s regultor of environmentl responses in plnts. Liu Z.L., Zhu Y.L., Wei G.P., Yng L.F., Zhng G.W., Hu C.M. (2007) Metolism of sori id nd glutthione in leves of grfted eggplnt seedlings under NCl stress. Lopez-Gomez e., Sn Jun M.A., Diz-Vivnos P., Mtix Beneyto J., Gri- Legz M.F., Hernndez J.A.(2007). Effet of rootstoks grfting nd oton on the ntioxidnt systems nd slinity tolerne on loqut plnts. Loulkkis KA, Rouelkis-Angelkis, Knellis KA (1994). Regultion of glutmte dehydrogense nd glutmine synthetse in Avodo fruit during development nd ripening. Lyoskoufis I.H, D. Svvs, G. Mvroginopoulos (2005). Growth, gs exhnge nd nutrient sttus in pepper (Cpsium nnum) growth in reirulting nutrient solution s ffeted y slinity imposed to hlf of the root system. Lynh J nd Luhli A (1984). Potssium-trnsport in slt-stressed rley roots. Mss E.V nd Hoffmn G.J (1977). Cropslt tolerne - urrent ssessment. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

111 111 Mss EV (1984). Slt tolerne of plnts. In The Hndook on Plnt Siene in griulture, Christie BR(ed). Mxwell K. nd G.S Johnson Chlorophyll fluoresene- prtil guide. Missinopoulos N. (1991).Fields with prolems. Study, predition nd improvement. UoT. Motosugi, H., Sugiur, A., nd Tomn, T., Slt tolerne of vrious pple rootstok ultivrs. Munns R. (2002) Comprtive physiology of slt nd wter stress. Munns R. (2005). Genes nd slt tolerene: ringing them together. Nvro J.M, Grrrudo V., Mrtinez nd M. Crvjl (2003). Wter reltions nd xylem trnsport of nutrients in pepper plnts grown under two different slts stress regimes. Netodo, G.W., J.C. Onyngo nd E.Bek, Sorghum nd slinity II. Gs exhnge nd hlorophyll fluoresene of sorghum under slt stress. Okuo, M., Furukw, Y., nd Skurtni, T., Growth, flowering nd lef properties of rer ultivrs grfted on two Asin per rootstok seedlings under NACl irrigtion. Okusny O.T, Ungre I.A (1984). The growth nd minerl omposition of the three speies of Spergulri s ffeted y slinity nd nutrients t high slinity. Ppdkis, I.E., Veneti, G., Chtzissvvidis, C., Sotiropoulos, T.E., Dimssi, K.N., nd Therios, I.N., Growth, minerl omposition, lef hlorophyll nd wter reltionships of two herry vrieties under NCl-indued slinity stress. Prdo J.M Reddy M.P, Yng S Stress signling through C 2+ /lmodulindependent protein phosphese lineurin medites slt dption in plnts. Prid A.K nd Ds A.B (2005) Slt tolerne nd slinity effets on plnts: A review. Pinhero, G.R., Ro, M.V., Pliyth, G., Murr, D.P. nd Flether, R.A, (1997). Chnges in tivities of ntioxidnt enzymes nd their reltionships to geneti nd ploutrzol-indued hilling tolerne of mize seedlings. Plnt Physiol. (1997) Ploutrhos Tsikls (2003). Plnt nutrition nd soil fertility. Rhodes D, Ndolsk-Orzyk A. & Rih, P.J (2002) Slinity, osmolytes nd omptile solutes. Rhodes J.D (1990). Priniple effets of slts on soils nd plnts. Wter, soil nd rop mngement relting to the use of sline wter. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

112 Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, Rodriguez Rosles M.P, L.Kerke, P.Bueno nd J.P Donire (1999). Chnges indued y NCl in lipid ontent nd omposition, lipoxygense, plsm memrne H+ATPse nd ntioxidnt enzyme tivities of tomto. Romerornd R, T. Sori nd J. Curtero (2001). Tomto plnt wter uptke nd plnt wter reltionships under sline growth onditions. Ruiz J.M., Blnso B., Rivero., Romero L.(2005) Niotine-free nd slt tolernt too plnts otined y grfting to slinity-resistnt rootstoks of tomto. Sirm, R.K & Tygi, A. (2004). Physiology nd moleulr iology of slinity stress tolerne in plnts. Snt-Cruz, M.M, Mrtinez Rodriguez, F. Perez-Alfoe, R. Romero- Arnd, R. Bolrin M.C. (2002). The rootstok effet on the tomto slinity response depends on the shoot genotype. Svvs D, Lenz F Effets of NCl or nutrient-indued slinity on growth, yield, nd omposition of eggplnts grown in rokwool. Svvs D., Lenz F. (1994). Influene of slinity on the inident of the physiologil disorder internl fruit rot in hydroponilly-grown eggplnts. Svvs D., Lenz F. (1996). Influene of NCl onentrtion in the nutrient solution on minerl omposition of eggplnts grown in snd ulture. Sndlios J.G. (1997). Genetis of Superoxide Dismutse in plnts. Shulze E.D (1986) Whole-plnt responses to drought- Aust. J. Plnt Physiology Shlhevet J, Heuer B, Meiri A Irrigtion intervl s ftor in the slt tolerne of eggplnt. Silverush M nd J.B Asher The effet of slinity on prmeters of potssium nd nitrte uptke of otton. Sonneveld C. (1988). The slt tolerne of greenhouse rops. stges. Surro G.V, Johnsen C., Jn M.K, Kumr Ro J.V.D.K (1990). Effets of sodium lium rtio in modifying slinity response of pigeonpe (Cjnus jn). Suhyd C.G, Ginnini J.L, Briskin D.P nd Shnnon M.C ( Eletrostti hnges in Lyopersion esulentum root plsm-memrne resulting from slt stress. Therios I (1996). Inorgni nutrition nd fertilizers. Wng W.B, Kim W.H., Lee H.S., Kim K.Y., Deng X.P, Kwk S.S Anlysis of ntioxidnt enzyme tivity during germintion of lflf under slt nd

113 113 drought stresses. Wei G.P., Zhu Y.L., Yng L.F., Chen G.(2009) Chnges in oxidtive dmge, ntioxidnt enzyme tivities nd polymine ontents in leves of grfted nd nongrfted eggplnt seedlings under stress y exess of lium nitrte. Wei G.P., Zhu Y.L., Liu Z.L., Yng L.F., Zhng G.W. (2007). Growth nd ioni distriution of grfted eggplnt seedlings with NCl stress. Weisel Y Adption to slinity. Physiology of trees. Xiong L. nd Zhu J.K (2002). Slt tolerne. Y. Ali, Z. Aslm, M. Y. Ashrf nd G. R. Thir Effet of slinity on hlorophyll onentrtion, lef re nd yield. Components of rie genotypes grown under sline environment. Ymd M.T Hidk nd H. Fukmhi Het tolerne in leves of tropil fruit rops s mesured y hlorophyll fluoresene. Yng L.F., Zhu Y.L., Hu C.M., Liu Z.L., Zhng G.W. (2006) Effets of NCl stress on the ontents of the sustnes regulting memrne lipodoxidtion nd osmosis nd photosyntheti hrteristis of grfted uumer. Yeo A.R, Lee K.S, Izrd P., Boursier P.J& Flowers T.J (1991) Short nd long effets of slinity on lef growth in rie (Oryz stiv L). Yetisir H., Uygur V. (2010). Responses of grfted wter melon onto different gourd speies to slinity stress. Zekri M, (1991). Effets of NCl on growth nd physiology of sour ornge nd Cleoptr mndrin seedlings. Zhng, J.M nd Ge, Z.D (2002). Effets of grfting pplition o muskmelon. Zhng G.W, Liu Z-l, Zhou J.G, Zhu Y-L (2008) Effets of C(NO3)2 stress on oxidttive dmge, ntioxidnt enzymes nd polymine ontents in roots of grfted nd non-grfted tomto plnts. Zhu j., Bie, Z.I., Hung Y., Hn X.Y., (2008). Effet of grfting on the growth nd ion ontents of uumer seedlings under NCl stress. Zhu J.K (2001). Plnt slt tolerne. Zhu S.N., Guo S.R., Zhng G.H., Li J. (2008) Ativities of ntioxidnt enzymes nd photosyntheti hrteristis in grfted wtermelon seedlings under NCl stress. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

114 114 Appendix A Plte A0. Cultivtion in soil t primry nd susequent time. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

115 115 Plte A1. Slinity effet to Hn eggplnts in soil ultivtion, fter seven weeks from 0mM to the left up to 200mM to the right. Plte A2. Slinity effet to Vernin eggplnts in soil ultivtion, fter seven weeks from 0mM to the left up to 200mM to the right. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

116 116 Plte A3. Slinity effet to Resistr tomto in soil ultivtion, fter seven weeks from 0mM to the left up to 200mM to the right. Plte A4. Slinity effet to Solnum torvum eggplnts in soil ultivtion, fter seven weeks from 0mM to the left up to 200mM to the right. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

117 117 Plte A5. Slinity effet to Resistr tomto plnts in perlite ultivtion, fter seven weeks from 0mM to the left up to 200mM to the right. Plte A6. Slinity effet to Solnum torvum plnts in perlite ultivtion, fter seven weeks from 0mM to the left up to 200mM to the right. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013

118 118 Plte A7. Slinity effet to Hn eggplnts in perlite ultivtion, fter seven weeks from 0mM to the left up to 200mM to the right. Plte A8. Slinity effet to Vernin eggplnts in perlite ultivtion, fter seven weeks from 0mM to the right up to 200mM to the left. Pngiotkis D. Giorgos Crnfield University PhD Thesis, 2013