Ecophysiological response of Lippia gracilis (Verbanaceae) to duration of salt stress

Abstract

The objective of this work was to investigate the effects of salinized water on Lippia gracilis by determining the ion accumulation capacity and morphophysiological changes as a function of salinity and time of exposure to stress. L. gracilis was irrigated with water containing different concentrations of salts and electrical conductivities. The analyses were conducted 25 and 50 days after stress (DAS), in leaf, stem/branches, and roots. Plant height (Hplants), basal stem diameter (Φstem), and mean unitary leaf area (ULA) were determined. After that, the plant material was dried, and the total dry biomass (TDB) (in g plant−1), leaf dry biomass (LDB), stem dry biomass (SDB), and the roots dry biomass (RDB) were determined. Based on these data, the following variables were calculated: total leaf area (TLA) in cm2 plant−1; biomass allocation fraction (BAF) obtained by dividing the biomass of the stem, leaves, and roots, separately, with the total plant biomass; relative growth rate (RGR); net assimilation rate (NAR); leaf area ratio (LAR); specific leaf area (SLA); and sclerophylly index (SI). The concentrations of potassium and sodium ions were quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and the chloride ion concentration was determined by argentometric titration. L. gracilis showed a variable response to salt stress as a function of time, having a considerable capacity to withstand an increasing load of toxic ions, while maintaining a positive growth rate, highlighting the potential use of the species in moderately saline environments.