Physiological response of potato plants to soil salinity and water deficit

The physiological response of potatoes as affected by salinity or water deficit was investigated. Leaf water and osmotic potentials declined significantly as stress conditions intensified. However, a positive turgor was maintained throughout the entire growth period. This resulted from the fact that plants adjusted osmotically. Under salinity, it was mainly achieved by the accumulation of chloride and proline, while under water deficit it probably occurred by altering cell wall elasticity or cell size. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.