Abstract
This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of mannitol at concentrations of 0%, 5%, and 10% on the health and physiological responses of spinach plants (Spinacia oleracea). Mannitol, a sugar alcohol known for its osmotic properties, was applied to assess its influence on plant growth, leaf chlorophyll content, and overall vitality under controlled conditions. The study employed a randomized complete block design, with each treatment replicated three times over a four-week growth period.
Observations included plant height, leaf number, chlorophyll content measured using a chlorophyll meter, and visual assessments of plant health. Results indicated that the control group (0% mannitol) exhibited the highest plant height and leaf number, suggesting optimal growth conditions. Conversely, plants treated with 10% mannitol showed a significant reduction in both height and leaf count, alongside the lowest chlorophyll readings, indicating stress and reduced photosynthetic capacity. The 5% mannitol group demonstrated intermediate effects, with moderate growth inhibition but comparatively higher chlorophyll content than the 10% treatment.
Our findings suggest that while low concentrations of mannitol may introduce osmotic stress without severely compromising spinach health, higher concentrations detrimentally affect growth and chlorophyll levels. This study contributes to a better understanding of osmotic stress in plants and has implications for agricultural practices, particularly in managing salinity stress in crop cultivation. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms of mannitol's effects on plant physiology.
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