Effects of 1-aminobenzotriazole on the growth and physiological characteristics of Tamarix chinensis cuttings under salt stress

Abstract

Vegetation restoration is a main ecological remediation technology for greening saline and alkaline soils. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT-1) on the growth and physiology of Tamarix chinensis under salt stress and to determine a suitable ABT-1 concentration and soil salinity (Sc) for propagating T. chinensis-cuttings. Cuttings were soaked in water and ABT-1 solutions at three concentrations(50, 100, and 200 mg L⁻¹) and propagated in pots containing four soil salinity levels, mild (0.3%), moderate (0.6%), and severe (0.9% and 1.2%), and compared with a control. The cuttings were measured to determine growth indices and physiological and biochemical indices (e.g., chlorophyll content, superoxide dismutase activity, peroxidase activity, and malondialdehyde content). ABT-1 was effective in improving survival, growth, and physiological processes of cuttings under salt stress. However, there was a threshold effect when using ABT-1 to facilitate propagation under salt stress. ABT-1 effects were insignificant when applied at low concentrations (< 100 mg L⁻¹). At a high concentration (> 100 mg L⁻¹), ABT-1 limited growth and physiological activities. Under a salt stress level (Sc ≤ 0.9%), ABT applied at a 100 mg L⁻¹ concentration increased chlorophyll content and superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities in the leaves and reduced malondialdehyde accumulation and membrane lipid peroxidation effects. As a result, ABT-1 enhanced the resistance of T. chinensis to salt stress. However, under high salt stress (> 0.9%) and ABT-1 concentration (> 100 mg L⁻¹), the physiological regulatory ability of T. chinensis seedlings weakened. T. chinensis grew well at a salt stress ≤ 0.9% and ABT ≤ 100 mg L⁻¹ and exhibited relatively high physiological regulatory ability and high salt adaptability

Keywords

Salt stress / Rooting powder / Growth / Physiological and biochemical indices / Tamarix chinensis

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