GROWTH AND MINERAL DISTRIBUTION OF SESUVIUM-PORTULACASTRUM L, A SALT-MARSH HALOPHYTE, UNDER SODIUM-CHLORIDE STRESS

Response of Sesuvium portulacastrum L., to the elogenous addition of s odium chloride (NaCl), applied at different concentrations ranging fro m 100 to 900 mM was evaluated. Leaf area, shoot and root weight of the treated plants were increased significantly. Total nitrogen (N) conte nt of leaves, stem and root was significantly increased up to 600 mM N aCl, and thereafter declined moderately. Accumulation of potassium (K) , and calcium (Ca) were exponentially increased with NaCl treatment as also observed in the case of N. Sodium content of shoot and roots of S. portulacastrum increased significantly with increasing NaCl concent rations. Certain essential elements like copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manga nese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were also accumulated in all plant parts signi ficantly, up to 600 mM. However, due to high salinization, growth and development of plants inhibited markedly. Furthermore, elemental conce ntration decreased beyond 600 mM level of NaCl. Due to aging and senes cence, marked changes in leaf area, shoot, root volume and mineral con tent were observed between sampling time.