Effect of Boric Acid in In Vitro Conditions on the Salt Tolerance of Fox Grapes (Vitis Labrusca L.)

Shoots obtained from micro-cuttings of ‘Balıkçı Siyahı’ (Vitis labrusca L.) grape type were used as explants. The explants were cultivated in MS nutrient medium containing 1 mg/l benzyl adenine for shoot formation following surface sterilization. Shoots derived from the explants were transferred to MS medium containing 2 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid for rooting. The rooted plantlets were transferred to MS medium containing four doses (0, 0.5, 1, 2 mM) of H₃BO₃ and three doses (0, 100, 200 mM) of NaCl for determination of salt stress and the effectiveness of boric acid. In the study, some physiological parameters such as plant vitality (%), damage degree (0–3), some shoot growth parameters, chlorophyll content (SPAD), shoot tolerance ratio, leaf turgor weight (g), ion flux (%), cell membrane damage ratio (%) and explant relative water content (%) were evaluated. As salt doses increase, it has been observed that the damage, ion flux and cell membrane damage rate also increase. It has been determined that the most negative effect occurs in the plant with the application of 200 mM NaCl, significantly reducing growth and development. Overall, it has been determined that 0.5 mM and 1 mM H₃BO₃ doses reduce the negative effects caused by salt stress.