Effect of sodium chloride on tree seedlings in two potting media

Abstract

Seedlings of six tree species grown in two potting media, Morley silt loam or peat:perlite:sand mix (1:1:1 v:v:v), were treated with sodium chloride solution or water. Ginkgo Ginkgo biloba, honeylocust Gleditsia triacanthos, and Japanese pagoda tree Sophora japonica showed the least foliar injury in response to salt; eastern white pine Pinus strobus was intermediate, and sycamore Platanus occidentalis and white flowering dogwood Cornus florida showed the most injury. Foliar injury and height growth suppression for several species were somewhat greater in the mix than in the silt loam. Chloride concentrations, which were less affected by the potting medium used than were sodium concentrations, appeared low in the stems of tolerant species and high in sensitive species. Except for K in the stem, which decreased in most species, most essential elements (N, P, Ca, Mg, Mn, B, Cu) increased in response to salt in both stem and leaves. The relative tolerance of species shown in this study correlates well with results from a previous study with liquid culture. Ginkgo, a species not examined in previous studies, appeared to be more salt-tolerant than honeylocust.