Response of Leaves and Stem Leek (Allium porrum L.) Cultivars to Salt Stress on Growth, Yield, Mineral Composition, Organic and Antioxidant Compounds Cultivated in the Far North Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Context: In the world, millions of hectares of cultivated land are affected by salt, making salinity a major constraint for plant production. Objective: This investigation was conducted to examine the influence of salinity on plant growth, yield, and chemical compounds of leaves and stems of leek cultivars. Experiments are organized in a completely randomized block design with one plant per pot with as factors: two cultivars of leek and four levels of salinity (0, 60, 120, and 240 mM NaCl). The cultivars were well irrigated by fresh saline water for sixty days. Results:This study demonstrated that increasing salinity reduces the morphological parameters, yield (to 30.43% in Gros long d’été and 30.78% in Monstreux conantan from control to 240 mM NaCl), ascorbic acid, and mineral distribution of the plant for all varieties. We notice that salinity increases osmolytes, antioxidant components, and Na content in the stem and leaves, with a larger accumulation in Gros long d’été than Monstreux conantan. The variety Gros long d’été has proven to be the most tolerant even in the presence of the highest concentration (240 mM NaCl). Conclusion: Gros long d’été cultivar maintains great productiveness and nutritional quality in high levels of salinity; its salt-tolerance is higher than Monstreux conantan cultivar. The good behaviour of Gros long d’été cultivar facing salinity can be considered for its use to better enhance the Sahelian and coastal areas.