Assessing the salt tolerance of four Algerian Opuntia species through morpho-physiological traits and mineral ion

This study investigated twenty parameters associated with mineral ion absorption and morpho-physiological traits to discern the unique characteristics of various Opuntia species exposed to different salt concentrations (200 mM, 400 mM, and 600 mM). The data revealed that under 200 mM and 400 mM NaCl stress, the most distinguishing traits were the Na+ content in roots and cladodes, along with K+ content in cladodes. The species clustered into three groups, with O. amyclea and O. fícus indica demonstrating the highest salt tolerance. Under 600 mM salt stress, the content K+, Na+ and K+/ Na+ ratio of cladode, were identified as the most discriminant traits based on the calculated F-ratio. Biplot-based species analysis indicated that O. engelmannii and O. fícus indica exhibited the highest salt tolerance. Also, the cladode and root K+/ Na+ ration, K+, Na+ content of cladode and root Na+ content emerge as pivotal traits for assessing salt tolerance in Opuntia species.