An overview of nutrient availability and uptake in pomegranates grown under saline environments: A review

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an important subtropical fruit with significant medicinal and nutritional values, widely cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions where salinity is a major constraint. Soil salinity affects pomegranate growth, yield, and fruit quality by inducing osmotic and ionic stress, disrupting sodium (Na+)/potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+)/calcium (Ca2+) ratios, and impairing nutrient uptake. Saline irrigation and poor soil conditions exacerbate these effects, limiting water and nutrient availability and altering microbial activity. Nutrient management under salinity requires thorough soil and plant tissue analyses to assess macro- and micronutrient levels, detect potential toxicities, and guide fertilization strategies. Optimal nutrient concentrations in leaves and soil are crucial for maintaining physiological functions and mitigating salinity-induced deficiencies. Fertilization approaches, including localized chemical applications, organic amendments, and foliar sprays, can enhance nutrient uptake, root development, and fruit quality. Biological interventions, such as plant growth-promoting microorganisms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, improve salinity tolerance by enhancing nutrient acquisition, regulating ion balance, and boosting antioxidant defense mechanisms. Pomegranate varieties exhibit differential responses to salinity, with tolerance linked to root ion partitioning, tissue ion ratios, and adaptive physiological traits. Experimental studies under greenhouse and field conditions have highlighted reductions in vegetative growth, leaf area, shoot length, and yield under increasing salinity, alongside changes in phenolic and antioxidant profiles. Addressing salinity requires integrated strategies, including the selection of tolerant cultivars, optimized irrigation and fertilization, and exploitation of beneficial microorganisms. Understanding the mechanisms of salinity tolerance and nutrient interactions is essential to sustain pomegranate production under declining water quality and changing environmental conditions.