Role of rootstocks on ion uptake of tomato plants grown under saline conditions

The mechanisms that may determine the response of grafted vegetable plants can be manifold. To better understand the scion/rootstock interaction in terms of element uptake a research was carried out; the objectives were to determine the influence of rootstock on shoot growth and nutrient uptake under saline conditions, (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Durinta). In the experiment two commercial rootstocks ('Beaufort' and 'Heman') were compared with self grafted plants under two salinity levels of nutrient solution (2.8 and 8.8 dS m -1) determined by different concentrations of NaCl. To evaluate the effects of rootstock and salt stress, the nutrient and the sodium chloride content in plant tissues were determined. The results confirmed the effects of salt stress on dry matter production and showed that both plant nutrient uptake and sodium and chloride exclusion are affected by rootstock. Although there was a different concentration of ions, the negative effect of salt stress on nutrient uptake and sodium and chlorine accumulation was only in few cases affected by the rootstock