Effect of antioxidants on citrus leaf anatomical structure grown under saline irrigation water

Abstract

Citrus trees have been classified as a salt sensitive crops, to increase plant tolerance, antioxidants foliar application as ascorbic acid at four concentrations (0, 400, 600 and 800 ppm) and or salicylic acidat four concentrations (0,400,600 and 800 ppm). 800 ppm was the best evaluated and chosen concentration to study the anatomical structure of both Valencia orange and Chinese tangerine budded on Volkamer lemon rootstock grown under saline conditions. The experiment was conducted at El Alamin - Wady El Natroun high way (Beer Hooker Area) in a private orchid in a sandy soil under drip irrigation system with saline water (1700 ppm). The results indicated that, under saline conditions in both varieties Valencia orange and Chinese tangerine the upper leaves epidermis, thickness of lamina, leaf blade through midrib area, were increased compared with the treated plants with either salicylic or ascorbic acids. On the other hand, the treated trees showed a decrement effect on upper epidermis, thickness of lamina as well as blade through midrib area. However ascorbic acid with 800 ppm was more effective in this respect, the cross sections showed also that, length and width of vascular bundles as well as xylem rows showed apparent increase compared with untreated trees. In this respect ascorbic acid was more effective than salicylic acid.