Influence of NaCl concentration in the nutrient solution on mineral composition of eggplants grown in sand culture

Effects of high salt concentration in the nutrient solution (20, 40 or 60 mM NaCl) on the mineral composition of eggplants grown in a closed sand culture system for 6 months were investigated. Although in all salinity treatments yield was reduced, no toxicity or other nutrient disorder symptoms were observed. Addition of NaCl to the solution caused a pronounced increase of Na concentration in roots and older leaves, whereas Na accumulation in fruits and lamina of younger leaves was comparatively low. In contrast, C1 was readily translocated to thp photosynthetically active young leaves. The NaCl-salinity reduced K in roots and older leaves, Ca in fruit and older leaves, Mg in all leaves with the largest differences being found in the younger ones, organic-N in roots, NO3-N in all plant parts investigated and P in roots and older petioles.