Salinity effects on growth and ion content of E. camaldulensis x E. globulus hybrids
2005
Eny Faridah
Hydroponic method was used to investigate salinity effects on plant growth and ion content in E. camaldulensis x E. globulus clones. In this experiment, nine clones from Family 85K with varying salt tolerances were subjected to salt concentrations of 0 (control), 50, 100, and 150 mM NaC1 in full nutrient solution for up to five weeks. Not all clones survived at salt concentrations of 100 and 150 mM after being exposed for four weeks, and only three clones survived up to the end of the experiment. Salinity affected plant ion uptake and distribution. In leaves and roots, increasing salinity increased Na, but decreased P and S levels. K levels in roots were adversely affected, but increased in leaves, while no effect on Ca content was found. This study indicated that salinity adversely affects plant growth, increases Na+ content and reduces uptake and levels of important ions such as P, S, and K with differences between clones. These effects could have been caused by toxic levels of accumulated Na especially in leaves at higher salt concentration and prolonged exposure to salt stress. Clone survival under these conditions might represent seedling tolerance to salt stress, achieved through lower Na+ accumulation in leaves.
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