EFFECTS OF SALINITY STRESS ON CHLOROPHYLL AND CAROTENOID CONTENTS AND STOMATA SIZE OF GRAFTED AND UNGRAFTED GALIA C8 MELON CULTIVAR

Abstract

Salinity is known as the most important abiotic stress that decreases crop production and plant growth, and changes the anatomy and morphology of plants. In this study, the growth rate of grafted and ungrafted melon plants were studied under salinity stress. Maximus F-1, Shintoza F-90 F-1 and Nun 9075 F-1 (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moschata) were used as a rootstock and Galia C8 melon cultivar was used as a scion. In this study, the stomata size and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were investigated. According to the results, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents and stomata length and width of upper and lower surface of leaf were generally reduced under salinity stress.