INFLUENCE OF SODIUM-CHLORIDE ON THE GROWTH AND MINERAL-NUTRITION OF PEPPER CULTIVARS

The response of four cultivars of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), Yolo Wo nder, HDA 103, HDA 174, and SC 81 to sodium chloride (NaCl) salinity w as studied in hydroponic culture by comparing three different NaCl con centrations: 0 mM, 50 mM, and 100 mM. For all cultivars, growth was re duced when NaCl concentration in the growth medium increased. However, cultivar behavior as a function of the NaCl concentration was not hom ogenous. The HDA 174 displayed the best growth when NaCl concentration was high, while Yolo Wonder was the most sensitive to salinity. The S C 81 showed intermediate behavior since its growth was low at all trea tment levels, but it reacted only slightly to increasing salinity. The analytical results showed that growth was very closely linked to the zinc (Zn) content of the blade: the best growth was observed when the percentage of Zn in the blade was low, whereas high Zn content was lin ked to sharp reduction in growth. The most tolerant cultivar, HDA 174, showed an original response: the sodium (Na) was strongly accumulated in the leafblade, whereas the other cultivars tended to avoid Na accu mulation. This corresponded to an adaptation observed for halophyte pl ants.