SALT STRESS-INDUCED BIOMETRIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL-CHANGES IN SOLANUM-TUBEROSUM L CV BINTJE GROWN IN-VITRO

Potato plants grown in vitro were subjected to different salt stresses by providing the salts NaCl, Na2SO4, MgCl2 and MgSO4 in different con centrations up to 300 mM. Salinity greatly affected the survival and t he rooting of the plants. Shoot and root growth decreased with increas ing salt concentrations. Under mild stress conditions, i.e. in conditi ons where the plant is able to adapt to the stress, the observed decre ase was dependent upon the salt used. Under severe stress conditions, however, the decrease of the shoot and root growth was independent of the nature of the ions.