GROWTH, NODULATION, STEM ANATOMY AND NITROGEN-CONTENT OF SESBANIA-ROSTRATA GROWN IN DIFFERENT SALINITY LEVELS

Plant growth, stem and root nodulation, stem anatomy, acetylene reduct ion activity and nitrogen content were studied in Sesbania rostrata gr own hydroponically in different levels of NaCl salinity. The number an d fresh weight of root and stem nodules decreased with salinity. The t hickness of the xylem tissue and the number of cell layers in the xyle m decreased significantly with salinity but no significant difference in cell dimensions was observed. Salinity affected cell division, resu lting in reduced growth. Salinity in the medium reduced acetylene redu ction activity of nodules and the nitrogen content of plants.