PJB-1995-19
STUDIES ON GROWTH AND SALT REGULATION IN SOME HAWPHYTES AS INFLUENCED BY EDAPHIC AND CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
HUMAIRA MARYAM, SHOAIB ISMAIL, FARKHUNDA ALA AND RAFIQ AHMAD
Abstract
Variations in plant growth due to changes in edaphic and climatic conditions in two halophytic species viz., Suaeda fruticosa (L.) and Tamarix indica Willd., from the saline community at Karachi University campus are reported. Growth rates of plants and regulation of Na + and C1-salts with reference to prevailing climatic and edaphic conditions were studied from mid of July to first week of November. Soil moisture content increased with soil depth in both the species studied while electrical conductivity was high in the uppennost part of the soil profile. Maximum salt accumulation was observed in ranging from EC: 110-130 dS.m-1 at soil surface of 0-5 cm. Concentrations of Na + and C1- ions in the saturated soil extract significantly corresponded to the electrical conductivities observed at different time period and at different soil depths. Stomatal conductance and transpiration rates exhibited an increase with more water availability in soil. No significant variation was evident in plant moisture content in both the species. r. indica exhibited comparatively higher organic matter and low ash as compared to S.fruticosa. Concentration of C1- remained unaffacted in T. indica. Plant volume increased with time in S. fruticosa exhibiting higher rate of increase in volume as compared to T. indica. Moisture content and soil salinity (BC) significantly affec,ed growth in both S. fruticosa and T. indica, whereas, growth of T. indica was also influenced by Na + content of soil. Percentage of both Na + and C1- ions in relation to the external medium concentrations showed higher proportion of Na + in both the species, although T. indica exhibited a relatively less absorption and accumulation of both the ions as compared to external medium.
To Cite this article:
Download
