Characteristics of inorganic ion uptake and accumulation in plant organs of Cucurbita moschata Duch. and C. ficifolia Bouche. under NaCl stress

360-3×112-2 was proved to be a higher salt tolerant hybrid of Cucurbita moschata Duch. in our previous work. To compare its salt tolerance with C. ficifolia Bouche., a widely used rootstock in cucurbits vegetable production, both of them were cultured in nutrient solution added with 0 mmol/L or 80 mmol/L NaCl in adult plant period. After 10 days , the growth traits and the contents of Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ in six organs including root (R)，stem (S), petiole (P)，upper leaf (UL)，middle leaf (ML) and lower leaf (LL) of all plants were determined. Results showed that growth inhibition of two tested plants was obvious under NaCl Stress for 10 days, growth of 360-3×112-2 F1 plants was less inhibited than that of C. ficifolia Bouche. Na+ contents in six organs of two tested materials were all increased, Na+ contents of 360-3×112-2 hybrid mainly accumulated in roots, while C. ficifolia Bouche. in stem. K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents generally decreased in plant, however, increased in UL of 360-3×112-2 hybrid. Although K+/Na+ values in all organs were decreased under NaCl stress, 360-3×112-2 hybrid decreased less than C. ficifolia Bouche. Therefore, difference in organs accumulating high Na+ contents, and difference in K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ contents and K+/Na+ decrease range in shoot were the main reasons for the differences of salt tolerance between the two tested materials under NaCl stress after 10 days. The results also suggest that 360-3×112-2 hybrid has higher salt tolerance than C. ficifolia Bouche, and can be used as salt tolerant rootstock in cucurbits vegetable production.