Effect of salinity and planting density on physiological responses of Allenrolfea occidentalis

Authors

Bilquees Gul, University of Karachi, Pakistan
Darrell J. Weber, Brigham Young University
M. Ajmal Khan, University of Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Physiological responses of Allenrolfea occidentalis to salinity and seedling density were investigated. Effects of salinity (0, 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mM NaCl) and 3 planting densities (2000, 4000, 6000 plants m^-2) on the growth, survival, and ecophysiology of A. occidentalis, a stem succulent inland halophyte, were studied under controlled greenhouse conditions. Plants were grown in a sand culture using subirrigation. Dry mass of roots was highest at 600 mM NaCl at low density (2000 plants m^-2), but declined as salinity increased. Tissue water content was highest at the 200 mM NaCl treatment and decreased with increased salinity. Water potential of the plants became more negative with increasing salinity due to the accumulation of NaCl in the leaves. Inorganic ions, especially Na⁺ and Cl^-, contributed substantially to dry mass. Na⁺ and Cl^- concentration in shoots and roots increased when NaCl level was increased while K⁺, Ca⁺⁺, Mg⁺⁺, SO₄^--, and NO₃^- contents decreased. Net photosynthesis increased at low salinity (200 mM), but photosynthesis at other salinities was not significantly different from the control. While A. occidentalis is very salt tolerant and photosynthesis functioned reasonably well at high salinities, extremely high salinity did decrease dry mass of roots and shoots.

Recommended Citation

Gul, Bilquees; Weber, Darrell J.; and Khan, M. Ajmal (2000) "Effect of salinity and planting density on physiological responses of Allenrolfea occidentalis," Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 60: No. 2, Article 8.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol60/iss2/8