Growth and acquisition of Na, K and Ca in some elite sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (Lam.) L.] genotypes under salinity stress

Soil salinity is a concern in the wake of climate change challenges due to rising sea levels and coastal salinity in Papua New Guinea. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in Split Plot design, with five elite sweet potato genotypes (main-plot factors) and three levels of sodium chlroide (NaCl) concentrations (sub-plot factors) replicated six times. The vine cuttings of genotype RAB 45 showed very low mortality percentage (33%) at 600mM NaCl concentration. At salinity level of 200mM NaCl, aerial dry biomass of the genotypes was inversely but significantly (r = -0.40; p < 0.05) related to the accumulation of sodium (Na+) in the tissues. The Na+ accumulation in the tissues was antagonistic to the potassium (K+) and calcium (Ca2+) ions. Among the sweetpotato genotypes, Na+/K+ ratio decreased in the following order: RAB 45> KAV 11 > Northern Star > DOY 2 > L 46, which was more or less corroborated with the trend in the aerial dry matter.