Research Information System
JOURNAL OF CROP HEALTH, vol.77, pp.3-18, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
The present study aimed to evaluate the physiological and root morphological responses of six distinct snake melon (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus) genotypes under varying salinity levels. The experiment was implemented in a hydroponic system within climate-controlled environment in 2024 growth season. Six genotypes (Badem, Ege, Iraq 1, Iraq 2, Kerem, and Selin) were cultivated in 8 L pots filled with continuously aerated nutrient solution under control conditions and two salinity treatments (6 and 12 dS/m). Electrical conductivity (EC) levels were regulated by supplementing the nutrient solution with NaCl. Key parameters assessed included shoot and root fresh and dry weights, total root length, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content, carotenoid concentration, average root diameter, total root volume, ion leakage, and macro- and microelement composition. The plants grown under 6 and 12 dS/m usually showed a lower crop growth performance than the control plants, illustrating that salt stress adversely affected crop growth under hydroponics. However, the genotypes Badem and Ege showed a moderate salt tolerance at 6 dS/m, while the genotypes Iraq 1 and Selin exhibited a high salt tolerance at 12 dS/m, indicating a significant genotypic variation and genotype × salinity interaction. Tolerance was linked to vigorous root morphology and leaf physiological activity under both moderate (6 dS/m) and high (12 dS/m) salinity.