Zinc and copper deficiency are common nutritional disorders of plants grown on salt-affected soils in arid and semi-arid regions. The aims of this work were to investigate individual and combined effects of salinity and Zn/Cu nutrition on some physiological, biochemical and antioxidant properties of rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis L.) in two hydroponic- and soil-culture experiments. Salinity treatment increased membrane permeability and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) content, accompanied by significant decreases in plant growth and leaf relative water content. These changes were more evident in Zn/Cu deficient condition. The interaction of soil salinity and Zn/Cu nutrition resulted in a significant increase of essential oil and total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging capacity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power(FRAP) of rosemary. Zn and Cu nutrition appear to decrease oxidative damage and may improve the growth of rosemary under saline condition. It was also concluded that Zn/Cu nutrition and salt stress enhanced antioxidant properties of rosemary.
