Photosynthesis parameters in two cultivars of mulberry differing in salt tolerance

Three-month-old mulberry (Morus alba L.) cultivars (salt tolerant cv. S1 an d salt sensitive cv. ATP) were subjected to different concentrations of NaC l for 12 d. Leaf area, dry mass accumulation, total chlorophyll (Chl) conte nt, net CO2 assimilation rate (P-N), Stomatal conductance (g(s)), and trans piration rate (E) declined, and intercellular CO2 concentration (C-i) incre ased. The changes in these parameters were dependent on stress severity and duration, and differed between the two cultivars. The tolerant cultivar sh owed a lesser reduction in P-N and g(s) coupled with a better C-i and water use efficiency (WUE) than the sensitive cultivar.