PJB-2005-19
SEASONAL VARIATION IN WATER RELATIONS OF HALOPYRUM MUCRONATUM (L.) STAPF. GROWING NEAR SANDSPIT, KARACHI
IRFAN AZIZ*, SALMAN GULZAR**, MEHER NOOR AND M. AJMAL KHAN
Abstract
Halopyrum mucronatum (L) Stapf., is a salt tolerant grass found on the coastal dunes of Arabian Sea. Seasonal variations in water relations of H. mucronatum were studied near Sandspit, Karachi over a one-year period. Water and osmotic potentials were higher during the monsoon (July and August), stomatal conductance was high and plants maintained turgor. Water potential, osmotic potential and stomatal conductance decreased with increasing soil electrical conductivity. This indicates that plants minimize their water uptake during stress to achieve osmotic adjustment, which helps them to survive in desert ecosystem.
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