EFFECTS OF ZINC AND SALINITY ON GROWTH AND ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE OF CARTHAMUS-TINCTORIUS L

Changes in growth and anatomical structure of vascular tissues in stem , root and leaf of safflower plants grown in NaCl and CaCl2 solutions having different osmotic potentials (Psi(S) from 0 to -0.9 MPa) with a ddition of 0, 10 and 20 mg dm(-3) zinc were studied. Shoot and root le ngths, fresh and dry masses and fresh/dry mass ratio were lower in sal t-stressed plants compared to unstressed plants. Salinity induced stru ctural changes in stem, root and leaf tissues; few xylem vessels with smaller size were noticed in stressed plants. The higher concentration of Zn improved growth especially in roots and enhanced xylem formatio n in comparison to stressed plants grown at the same osmotic potential without Zn. Zn also protected xylem distructure by salinity in leaves .