Growth Responses and Nitrogen Uptake of Saltgrass under Salinity Stress

Abstract

Various saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) clones were studied in a greenhouse to evaluate their growth responses in terms of shoot and root lengths and shoot and root dry matter (DM) weights under salt stress. Plants were grown hydroponically using Hoagland solution No. 1. Treatments included control plants and plants grown with salt (NaCl) at EC of 20 dSm⁻¹. Twelve different clones were grown with four replications of each variety. Plants were grown in a randomized complete block (RCB) design. Plant shoots (clippings) were harvested weekly, oven-dried at 60° C and DM weights were recorded. At the last harvest, plant roots were also harvested, oven-dried at 60°C and DM weights were determined and recorded. The results show increased shoot length in control plants, increased root length in most of the plants grown in saline conditions, greater shoot dry weight in control plants and greater root dry weight in saline plants. All results for shoots are based on a weekly average for six weeks and for roots are based on an average of the four replicated clones at the end of the study.