FLAVERIA-PRINGLEI (C3) AND FLAVERIA-TRINERVIA (C4) UNDER NACL STRESS

The C4 species Flaveria trinervia is obviously better adapted to salin e environments than the C3 species F. pringlei. Treatment with 100 mM NaCl diminished crop growth rate in F. pringlei by 38% but not in F. t rinervia. Under saline conditions, more assimilates were invested in l eaf growth in F. trinervia but not in F. pringlei. Electrolyte concent ration in F. trinervia in control and salt treated plants is lower tha n in F. pringlei. Fluorescence data do not indicate a damage of PS 2 c harge separation in both species. Whether the C4 photosynthetic pathwa y in F. trinervia is responsible for the improved salt tolerance compa red to F. pringlei remains an open question.