Effects of salinity and nitrogen on growth, ion relations and proline accumulation in Triglochin bulbosa

Abstract

The effects of salinity and nitrogen on growth, ion relations and prolineaccumulation in the monocotyledonous halophyte, Triglochin bulbosa,was investigated in hydroponic culture over 5 months. The experimentaldesign was a 3 × 3 factorial with three salinity treatments (0, 150 and 300 mol m-3 NaCl) and three levels of N (5, 10 and 20 μgml-1 N as NaNO3). Total and root dry biomass accumulationwere significantly affected by salinity, but not by N or N × salinityinteraction. Increase in NaCl from 0 to 150 mol m-3 had no effecton total or root dry biomass, while further increase in salinity to 300mol m-3 significantly reduced biomass by 21% and 25%respectively. Shoot dry biomass, which was significantly affected by N andnot by salinity, increased with increase in N from 5 to 10 μgml-1. Ion concentrations in roots and shoots were significantlyaffected by salinity, but not by N or N × salinity interaction. Theconcentration of Na+ and Cl- in roots and shoots increasedprogressively with an increase in salinity, while that of K+ decreased. Under non-saline conditions, Na+/K+ ratios were low (0.41to 0.44) and increased significantly with an increase in salinity in both rootsand shoots. Shoot sap osmotic potentials decreased progressively with anincrease in salinity. Increase in N in the hydroponic solution from 5 to20 μg ml-1 significantly increased root and shoot N by 66%and 41% respectively. Tissue concentrations of proline were significantlyaffected by salinity and substrate N but not by N × salinity interaction. Theconcentration of proline in roots and shoots increased significantly by334% and 48%, respectively, with an increase in salinity from 0 to 300mol m-3 NaCl. Increase in substrate N from 5 to 20 μg ml-1 significantly increased proline in roots and shoots by 66% and41% respectively. The significance of substrate N on the accumulationof proline is discussed in relation to salt tolerance.