EFFECTS OF SALINITY, EXTERNAL K+ NA+ RATIO AND SOIL-MOISTURE ON GROWTH AND ION CONTENT OF SESBANIA-ROSTRATA/

Growth of Sesbania rostrata was decreased gradually with increase in r oot medium salinity (mixed salts or NaCl alone). Soil moisture or anox ia did not affect plant growth significantly. Higher K+/Na+ ratios in plant tissues compared to those in the root medium were found under di fferent salinities. This indicated a high K+-N+ selectivity, a charact eristic generally considered unique to halophytes. S. rostrata is mode rately salt tolerant and may be utilized as forage crop and green manu re on saline land.