3.2.7 Effects of Salinity on Mineral Ion Contents
K+ ion concentration increased at all NaCl concentrations in comparison with the non-stressed shoots. K+ content was high in the 150 and 300 mM NaCl treated shoots. Na+ and Cl- contents increased gradually with the enhanced NaCl concentrations as compared to 0 mM NaCl treatment. The highest Na+ and Cl- contents were detected in the shoots exposed to 600 mM NaCl. Ca2+ and Mg2+ ion contents significantly increased in all salt treatments as compared with non-saline condition. The highest increases in Ca2+and Mg2+ contents were determined in the 600 mM NaCl treated shoots and the rate of increase of both Ca2+and Mg2+ was recorded by 3.3-fold (Table 3).