Evaluation of Yield and Some Morphological and Physiological Traits of Iranian Leek under Salinity Stress

In order to evaluate the yield and some morpho-physiological traits of Iranian Leek (Allium ampeloprasum Leek group) in response to salinity, two different Iranian leek landraces (Shadegani and Hamedani) were subjected to 0, 7, 14, 25 or 40 mM NaCl in soilless culture system. The layout was a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design. Salinity treatments were imposed by adding NaCl to half-strength Hoagland nutrient solution. By increasing the level of salinity stress, yield, number of leaves, leaf area and the percentage of dry matter were decreased and Hamedani landrace was more affected than the Shadegani. The ratio of root to leaf fresh weight was increased in response to salinity stress. By increasing the concentration of NaCl, leaf relative water content and the contents of a, b and total chlorophylls decreased while stomatal density were increased. The highest stomatal density were observed in highest level of salinity stress. Based on the present results, Iranian leek was evaluated as salt sensitive crop and Shadegani landrace was found more tolerant to salinity than the Hamedani.