Abstract
Abstract. Continuous high resolution measurement of sugar beet leaf extension over 5 d in growth chambers showed average leaf extension rates (LER) in darkness to be from three to six times those in light for plants growing in non‐salinized media. The changes in LER in light‐dark transitions occurred within seconds, a response which was more rapid than stomatal opening or closing. When the growth medium was salinized to 100 mol m−3 NaCl, LER's were reduced by about 50% in darkness and 90% in light, markedly increasing the ratio of dark to light LER.A 2‐d episode of root‐zone salinity imposed midway through a 5‐d period of measurement decreased LER and produced higher leaf temperatures. LER and diurnal leaf temperature patterns reverted to their pre‐salinized levels when root‐zone salinity was removed. Thus, the effects of short episodes of high sodium chloride in the growth medium appear to be reversible, suggesting a water stress mechanism of growth reduction rather than toxicity effects of salt.
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