Changes in plant growth, leaf relative water content and physiological traits in response to salt stress in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties

Salinity is the main environmental factor accountable for decreasing crop productivity worldwide. The effects of NaCl salinity on plant growth (leaf relative water content (RWC), leaf dry weight (LDW), shoot length (SL), number leaves (NL), branches (NB) and total area (TLA) physiological characteristics (stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (TR), net photosynthetic (Pn), yield photosystem II (ΦPsII) intercellular CO2 concentration (CO2int) in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties (‘Vanda’, ‘P244601’ ‘Pl184948’, widely used Cameroon, Tanzania Ghana, respectively, were investigated under hydroponic condition. Plants subjected to four levels (0, 40, 80 120 mM) at early seedling stage development. Application treatment led a significant decrease LDW, SL, NL, TLA, Pn, gs, TR CO2int ‘Vanda’ compared untreated plants while inhibition was notably noted mM ‘P1184948’ SL NB. highest depressive effect detected gs salt-sensitive lowest recorded salt-tolerant high level. Enhanced concentrations increase ΦPSII ‘Vanda’, plants. Leaf CHL significantly increased moderately-tolerant ‘‘P244601’ salt sensitive RWC all varieties. Under stress observed have relatively higher tolerance average traits than P244601’ suggesting that it could be grown salt-affected soils.