EFFECTS OF SODIUM CHLORIDE ON PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SALICORNIA PERSICA GROWTH

Salicornia persica is a halophyte plant that has been evolutionarily adapted to cope with saline conditions. In the current study, greenhouse experiments were designed to assess the effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) on Salicornia species collected from central region of Iran. Fresh and dry matter production, water potential, ion concentration, proline and glycine betaine accumulation and soluble sugar content were evaluated in eight salt treatments, including 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 mM NaCl. Increasing NaCl concentration up to 200 mM led to the maximum increase in shoot and root fresh and dry weights. Concentration of sodium (Na+) had a positive correlation with increasing salt levels while calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+) and potassium (K+) contents declined in the shoot. Accumulations of proline and glycine betaine increased with the increasing concentrations of NaCl. Sugar content also decreased by increased salt concentration. Salicornia plants treated with higher levels of NaCl were more succulent compared to the control plants. Positive and negative correlation was observed between salt concentration and water content and water potential, respectively. The results also suggested that this succulent halophytic plant may use sodium ion for acceleration of water uptake where water is scarce, to maintain or decrease sodium concentration in cellular spaces.