SALT TOLERANCE AND ION RELATIONS OF SALSOLA-KALI L - DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SSP-TRAGUS (L) NYMAN AND SSP-RUTHENICA (ILJIN) SOO

The effect of increasing salt concentrations (up to 200 mmol 1(-1) Cl- ) on growth, succulence and mineral composition has been studied in so me accessions of Salsola kali L. ssp. tragus (L.) Nyman and ssp. ruthe nica (Iljin) Soo. Differences between accessions corresponded to the t axonomic distinction of subspecies. Dry weight was increased by 50 mmo l 1(-1) NaCl in ssp. tragus, but not in ssp. ruthenica. Rising salinit y increased shoot water content in both subspecies, but ssp. tragus wa s more succulent than ssp. ruthenica. In ssp. tragus potassium content decreased after NaCl treatment, and the accumulation of sodium was si gnificantly higher than in ssp. ruthenica. Chloride content and total cation concentration were similar in all accessions. The results indic ate a positive correlation between salt tolerance, succulence and low K/Na-ratios in leaves.