SALT-INDUCED PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF TAMARIX CHINENSIS CLONE SEEDLINGS

Tamarix chinensis, commonly known as five-stamen tamarisk, Chinese tamarisk, or saltcedar, is a species of tamarisk native to China. It is known as an introduced species in other countries and is sometimes an invasive noxious weed. Although it easily inhabits moist habitats with saline soils, the salt tolerance mechanism of T. chinensis is unknown. In this study, one-year old poplar clones were used to study the salt tolerance mechanisms of T. chinensis. Results indicated that physiological responses in the leaves are significantly different from the roots. In addition, during short- and long-term reactions, physiological regulations improved the salt-tolerance capabilities of the T. chinensis clones.