Physiological, chemical and growth responses of summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) to boron under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

This research was conducted to investigate the effect of boron (B) toxicity on growth and physiological characteristics of Satureja hortensis plantsunder greenhouse conditions, in 2014. Treatments were different boron (B) concentrations as H3BO3 via irrigation water including 0, 5, 10, 25 and 50 mg L–1. Results indicated that total nitrogen, Fm, Fv, Fv/Fm, chlorophyll a, b and total, leaf number, relative water content (RWC), specific leaf weight (SLW), areal fresh and dry weights significantly decreased by B increase. On the other hand, increased B concentration in leaf was led to increase of F0, ΦN0, proline, total carbohydrate and phenolics, specific leaf area and leaf electrolyte leakage. It is concluded that summer savory can tolerate B concentrations up to 10 mg L–1, and leaf boron accumulation significantly inhibited, however, increased with more B concentration of root medium, which affected all physiological aspects mentioned above.