Salt‐spray stimulated growth in strand‐line species

Abstract

The response to salt spray and soil salinity of two sand dune strandline species (Cakile maritima Scop. and Salsola kali L.) and two salt marsh strand‐line species (Atriplex hastata L. and A. littoralis L.) was compared in sand‐compost cultures. The growth of the salt‐marsh species remained unaffected, while the growth of the sand dune species Cakile maritima was strongly reduced by NaCl (150 and 300 mM) absorbed via the root system. All four species were resistant to airborne salinity, and under conditions of low soil fertility, salt spray increased the dry matter production, especially of the sand dune species. Mineral analysis revealed foliar uptake of Na, K, Cl, Ca and Mg. Na and Cl ions absorbed from seawater droplets induced succulence. Both salt spray and soil salt increased the methylated quaternary ammonium compound content in the shoot tissue. Under non‐saline conditions a considerable amount of these osmotic solutes was still present, while turgor pressure potential in these plants was rather low. The relation between salt, compatible osmotic solutes, turgor pressure potential and growth is discussed. Next to the major constituents of seawater, Na and Cl, especially magnesium and to a lesser extent, calcium, accumulated in the shoot tissue. Based on the positive growth response of the sand dune species to airborne salt, they should be termed ‘aerohalophytes’, whereas ‘soil halophytes’ should be used when referring to the Atriplex species, which are more specifically adapted to the increased salinity of salt marsh soils.