Responses in growth, photosynthesis, and water uptake of a halophyte (Tetragonia tetragonoides) under halophilism condition

Abstract

Halophytes not only tolerate to salinity, but also promote their growth under a suitable saline condition (referred to as halophilism). Tetagonia tetragonioides is a halophyte that its growth is promoted by NaCl salinity up to 100 mM, but the mechanism of halophilism has not been elucidated. The present study examined responses in the plant’s growth, photosynthesis, and water uptake under the halophilism condition. The results the fresh and dry biomass were increased by 35.86 and 37.04% compared to the plant grown without salt, respectively. The growth enhancement of plant was contributed by the growth of both shoots and roots. Leaf chlorophyll content was also increased 1.10 times under the halophilism condition. Relative water content was not significantly increased, but proline content was increased 15.93 – 52.31 times with increasing salinity levels. These results suggest mechanisms that regulated photosynthesis and water uptake for the halophilism.

Keywords

• tetagonia tetragonioides
• salt-tolerant plant
• physiological response
• salt-promoted growth
• halophilism