K. Ewing et al., A COMPARISON OF INDICATORS OF SUBLETHAL SALINITY STRESS IN THE SALT-MARSH GRASS, SPARTINA PATENS (AIT) MUHL, Aquatic botany, 52(1-2), 1995, pp. 59-74
Wetland plant communities in coastal Louisiana are degrading, resultin
g in the loss of live emergent vegetation and subsequent succession to
open water. Saltwater intrusion has resulted from the construction of
navigation canals through the marshes; the subsequent salinity increa
se is one of the potential sources of sublethal stress on plants. Gree
nhouse experiments were conducted on Spartina patens (Ait.) Muhl. to c
ompare the usefulness of several indicators for the detection of salin
ity stress. CO2 uptake, leaf expansion, proline concentration and live
aboveground biomass displayed significant responses to the salinity l
evels employed as treatments (0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 ppt.). CO2 exchange
was the only indicator showing a significant response within 7 days of
the initiation of treatments (measurements were made at 7, 14 and 42
days).