PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ADAPTATIONS OF CYNODON DACTYLON (L.) PERS. FROM THE SALT RANGE (PAKISTAN) TO SALINITY STRESS

摘要: Abstract Naturally adapted salt tolerant populations provide a valuable material for exploring the adaptive components of tolerance. Under this aspect, two Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. were subjected to stress in hydroponics. One was collected from heavily salt-affected soil vicinity natural lake, Uchhali Lake, Salt Range Punjab province Pakistan, and other normal non-saline habitat Faisalabad region. The NaCl treatments Hoagland's nutrient solution were: Control (no salt), 50, 100, 150 200 mM NaCl. After 8 weeks growth hydroponics produced biomass, ion relations, photosynthetic capacity measured differently ecotypes. In ecotype C. Range, shoot dry weight only slightly affected by varying levels salt. However, contrast, its root markedly increased. On hand, (non-saline habitat) showed marked decrease weights under saline regimes. accumulated relatively less amount Na + than did that Faisalabad, particularly at higher levels. Shoot or K Ca 2+ contents varied inconsistently both ecotypes stress. All parameters, leaf water potential osmotic potential, chlorophyll content adversely stress, but all these physiological attributes except turgor soluble sugars high salinities Range. This significantly organic osmotica (total free amino acids, proline, total proteins, sugars) conditions intolerant counterpart. Overall, tolerance due restricted uptake accompanied an increased roots as well accumulation such acids proline conditions.