The plant response to salinity depends on physiological, biochemical and genetic factors and on their interaction with external environment. This work aimed to study the impact of adaptation time in nutrient solution on the cashew response to salinity. Seedlings of Anacardium occidentale L (CCP06) grown in vermiculite, for 28 days, were placed to grow in 1/10 ionic strength Hoagland solution for 1 and 7 days. At the end of each time the solution was supplemented with 200 mM NaCl, and under this condition the plants were monitored for 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. The 7 days Hoagland solution acclimated plants had physiological index more compatible to tolerance to NaCl such as low Na+ accumulation and also low membrane damage, lipid peroxidation, protein degradation and free amino acids and proline accumulation. The free ammonia was the best index to predict the salt stress intensity. Membrane damage increased with Na+ accumulation in the leaves. The results evidence that the root adaptation time in Hoagland solution has influence on the expression of factors capable to alleviate the salt stress effects.
Anarcadium occidentale L.; salinity stress; Na+; proline; amino acids
