PJB-2019-573
EFFECTS OF SALT STRESS ON GROWTH, BIOMASS AND PLANT PHYSIOLOGY IN YOUNG EUCALYPTUS CAMALDULENSIS SEEDLINGS
FAHAD RASHEED
Abstract
Salt stress has become a serious threat to the survival and production sustainability of tree species. Therefore, survival capability, physiological adjustments and productivity was tested in young Eucalyptus camaldulensis plants under salt stress. A pot experiment was conducted and under three levels of salinity stress (2, 8, 16 dSm-1), various parameters like morphology, biomass production/ partitioning and physiological parameters were measured under green houses. The results showed a significant reduction in number of leaves, number of branches and chlorophyll contents under salt stress conditions however, plant height and stem diameter remained similar to control. Leaf biomass decreased significantly under high salt stress but remained similar to control under medium salt stress. Stem biomass remained similar under all the treatments, but root biomass increased significantly under salt stress. Resultantly, total biomass remained similar across the three treatments and R:S ratio increased under salt stress treatments. Net CO2 assimilation rate and Stomatal conductance decreased significantly under salt stress but water use efficiency remained similar to control under medium salt stress and decreased significantly under high salt stress. Therefore, we concluded that young seedling of Eucalyptus camaldulensis can tolerate medium and high salt stress by increasing the allocation of biomass towards the roots which can be regarded as an acclimatization strategy of this species under salt stress.
To Cite this article:
Download
