title: Salinity thresholds and genotypic variability of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) grown under saline stress.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Two botanical varieties of cabbage, namely Savoy (Brassica oleracea var. Sabauda L.) and White (Brassica oleracea var. Capitata L.) were used in order to understand the morphological, physiological and biochemical elements of functional salt stress response. Thirteen salt concentrations (range, 0 to 300 mmol L(-1) NaCl) were considered in Experiment 1 and, of these 13, three (0, 100 and 200 mmol L(-1) NaCl) were used in Experiment 2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Experiment 1 enabled the definition of two salinity thresholds (100 and 200 mmol L(-1) NaCl), associated with morphological and physiological adaptations. In Experiment 2, moderate salinity (100 mmol L(-1) NaCl) had lower effects on Savoy than in White cabbage yield (respectively, -16% and -62% from control). Concurrently, 100 mmol L(-1) NaCl resulted in a significant increase of antioxidant enzymes from control conditions, that was greater in Savoy (+289, +423 and +88%, respectively) as compared to White (+114, +356 and +28%, respectively) cabbage. Ion accumulation was found to be a key determinant in tissue osmotic adjustment (mainly in Savoy) whereas the contribution of organic osmolites was negligible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher antioxidative enzymatic activities in Savoy versus White cabbage after treatment with 100 mmol L(-1) NaCl were associated with improved water relations, thus suggesting a possible physiological pathway for alleviating perceived salt stress.
authors: Department of Agricultural Sciences (DIPSA), University of Bologna, Viale Fanin, 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Rabab
authors: R
authors: Sanoubar
authors: Department of Agricultural Sciences (DIPSA), University of Bologna, Viale Fanin, 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Cellini
authors: Department of Agricultural Sciences (DIPSA), University of Bologna, Viale Fanin, 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Anna Maria
authors: AM
authors: Veroni
authors: Department of Agricultural Sciences (DIPSA), University of Bologna, Viale Fanin, 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Spinelli
authors: Department of Agricultural Sciences (DIPSA), University of Bologna, Viale Fanin, 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Masia
authors: Department of Agricultural Sciences (DIPSA), University of Bologna, Viale Fanin, 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Livia
authors: L
authors: Vittori Antisari
authors: Department of Agricultural Sciences (DIPSA), University of Bologna, Viale Fanin, 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Orsini
authors: Department of Agricultural Sciences (DIPSA), University of Bologna, Viale Fanin, 44, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Gianquinto
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001937:Brassica / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D007477:Ions / Q000378:metabolism; D009995:Osmosis; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism; D054712:Salinity; D055049:Salt Tolerance; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014867:Water / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D007477:Ions; D014867:Water; D012965:Sodium Chloride
keywords: antioxidative enzymes; leaf gas exchange parameters; plant physiology; salt stress; water relations