Changes in dry weight and mineral composition of some oil producing plants over a range of salinity stresses

Using water culture technique, some experiments have been performed to investigate the effect of 60 days salinization treatments (0.0–100 meq 1⁻¹ NaCl) on dry weight and on the content of some nutrient elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, N) in castor bean, sunflower and flax plants. In general the content of sodium increased progressively with the rise of salinity level. The relatively low and moderate salinization levels (20 and 40 meq I⁻¹ NaCl) resulted in a promotion rather than inhibition of the dry weight and in the content of most of the investigated elements in the different organs of the test plants. However with the rise of salinization level from 60 to 100 meq l⁻¹, the dry weight and the content of these nutrient elements were mostly reduced.