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Research paper

Effects of NaCl stress on growth, ion homeostasis and secondary metabolite accumulation in garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/asphc.2026.5710
Submitted: 12 May 2026
Published: 16.10.2026

Abstract

NaCl represents a major source of salinity stress in agricultural lands, particularly in coastal regions where irrigation is practiced. Plant species differ considerably in their tolerance to salinity stress and this variation influences growth performance and plant physiology. In this study, garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.), known for its high antioxidant capacity and purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), a halotolerant vegetable species, were cultivated under four irrigation water salinity levels (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM NaCl). Growth parameters (plant fresh weight and plant height), physiological traits (total chlorophyll content, tissue electrical conductivity), biochemical attributes (ascorbic acid and selected flavonoids, namely apigenin and catechin) and mineral nutrient contents (Mg, Na and K) were evaluated. Salinity significantly affected all measured parameters and induced pronounced species-specific responses. The NaCl concentration associated with the highest flavonoid accumulation differed between the two species; for purslane, the maximum flavonoid content was obtained in catechin under 200 mM NaCl treatment (37.806 mg kg–1), whereas for cress, the maximum flavonoid content was obtained in apigenin under 100 mM NaCl treatment (39.074 mg kg–1). Compared with the control treatment, increasing salinity resulted in consistent reductions in plant fresh weight and plant height, whereas tissue electrical conductivity and Na accumulation increased. Changes in K and Mg contents reflected ion imbalance induced by NaCl stress. The results indicate that two species exhibit distinct physiological and biochemical adaptive strategies in response to NaCl stress.

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