Pak. J. Bot., 45(6): 1969-1974, 2013. |
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Updated: 12-11-13 | ||||
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ROOT STRUCTURAL MODIFICATIONS IN THREE SCHOENOPLECTUS (REICHENB.) PALLA SPECIES FOR SALT TOLERANCE
RIFFAT BATOOL AND MANSOOR HAMEED*
Abstract: Three species of Schoenoplectus (Reichenb.) Palla
collected from three different sites of Punjab, Pakistan were evaluated for root morpho-anatomical modifications. All
the three species were subjected to salt stress. The salt treatments, control (0 mM salt), 100, 200 and 300 mM NaCl were
maintained in non-aerated solution culture. Schoenoplectus triqueter showed specific root anatomical adaptations for its
better survival under harsh saline environments. Increased epidermis thickness, cortex thickness, cortical cell area,
vascular bundle area, metaxylem area, phloem area and aerenchyma area in roots were critical for checking water loss and
enhancing water storage capability. The dominant anatomical traits
related to S. triqueter (the most tolerant among all species) were
found to be increased aerenchyma area for better gas exchange and bulk salt movement. Increased cortex thickness
(increasing water storage) and increased number and area of vascular
tissue (increased water conduction) seemed to be crucial for
its better survival under harsh saline environments. Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan Corresponding author’s email: hameedmansoor@yahoo.com |
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