The Effect of Drought and Salinity Stresses on Morphophysiological Properties of Kallar Grass (Leptochloa fusca L. kunth) under Controlled Conditions

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

K Hajmohammadnia Ghalibaf

Y Selahvarzi

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

10.22067/gsc.v10i1.14504

Abstract

Drought and salinity are the most important limiting factors of plant growth and development in many regions of the world. In this regard, using of species that are able to have higher production in this condition is a suitable strategy. In order to study the effect of drought and salinity stresses on morphophysiological properties of kallar grass (Leptochloa fusca L. kunth), a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with 4 replications was conducted under greenhouse conditions in 2009. The treatments were drought (100, 50 and 25 percent of field capacity equal -0.33, -3.4, and -11.2 bar, respectively) and salinity (electrical conductivity equal 0, 5, 10 and 20 dS/m). The results showed that electrolyte leakage was increased by reduce of soil water content in the cells and it reached the highest value 57% in severe drought stress (25% FC). Whereas, the different levels of salinity stress didn't increase it. The lowest of value of relative water content, root and shoot dry weight also were found in severe drought and salinity stress. However, the value of reduction of them in drought was more than salinity stress. Study on stomatal conductivity showed that it was increased 60 percent in combined stress (50% FC + 5 dS/m) in comparison with control. In total, kallar grass showed more tolerance salinity than drought stress, therefore, it is recommended for planting at saline water conditions.

Keywords

Electrolyte leakage

Halophyte

Relative water content

Stomatal conductivity

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