Salt tolerance of a coastal salt marsh grass
2003
Gulzar, S. | Khan, M.A. | Ungar, I.A.
Growth, water and osmotic relations were examined in the halophytic perennial grass Urochondra setulosa (Trin.) C.E. Hubbard from a population located on the coast of Arabian Sea near Karachi, Pakistan. Urochondra setulosa plants were grown in 0, 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mM NaCl in a sand culture using sub-irrigation. Number of leaves and tillers, root length and shoot length, fresh weight and dry weight of roots and shoots were highest in the non-saline control and decreased with an increase in salinity. Some plants survived in salinities above 600 mM NaCl, but their growth was stunted and mortality was high. Maximum succulence as estimated from plant water content was found in 0 mM NaCl. Water potential, osmotic potential and stomatal conductance became more negative with an increase in salinity, while pressure potential decreased with increasing salinity. Percentage ash content of shoots did not vary with increases in salinity. Na(+) and Cl(-) levels increased in shoots while K(+) concentration decreased with increases in salinity.
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