Abiotic Stress Tolerance of a Multipurpose Use Species Artemisia maritima from a Coastal Wetland: Mineral Nutrients, Salinity, and Heavy Metals

Artemisia maritima holds potential applications in the rehabilitation of degraded environments, particularly in salt-affected areas, for biosaline agriculture aimed at biomass production for further valorization and green biotechnology. The aim of the present study was to investigate the response of A. maritima to alterations in soil chemical composition, including differences in mineral supply, the addition of various sodium salts, and contamination with several heavy metals (cadmium, lead, copper, manganese, zinc), in order to establish a scientific basis for further applied research. Under standard fertilization conditions, the growth of A. maritima plants was restrained by nitrogen deficiency. Surplus nitrogen enhanced mineral uptake and growth, especially for shoots, and stimulated clonal development. Low to moderate (50 and 100 mmol L−1) NaNO3 treatment significantly stimulated shoot growth, while Na2HPO4 and NaHCO3 treatments exhibited the most adverse effects at 200 and 400 mmol L−1, resulting in reduced growth and biomass, and even the deterioration of the aboveground parts. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters served as reliable early indicators of the detrimental effects of salinity associated with individual anions. Shoot macronutrient levels remained unchanged for phosphorus and calcium, while nitrogen increased in nitrate treatments. Root mineral nutrient content was more susceptible to salinity, with significant changes observed for all macro- and micronutrients, varying depending on the specific element and anion type. The alterations in mineral nutrition observed for each anion treatment exhibited distinct characteristics. A. maritima plants demonstrated high tolerance to all heavy metals, with roots being more susceptible compared to shoots. At the shoot level, statistically significant growth inhibition was evident only for 1000 mg L−1 lead and 1000 mg L−1 zinc treatments. A. maritima plants can be characterized as high accumulators of cadmium, lead, manganese, and zinc, and as extreme accumulators of copper in shoots. Nitrophily, clonal expansion with a help of bud-bearing roots, and the ability to accumulate relatively high concentrations of mineral elements in shoots are among the important physiological characteristics of A. maritima plants, enabling them to exhibit high resilience in environmentally heterogeneous habitats.