Salinity decreases transpiration of sorghum plants

Abstract

Growing in a saline environment causes changes in important physiological processes that are directly related to plant growth and development. In this study we evaluated the effect of salinity on transpiration of sorghum plants in semi-arid conditions and found that the highest rates of transpiration were observed in the hottest hours of the day, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., with plants subjected to the saline environment having their transpiration reduced by up to 70% when compared to the non-saline environment. This behavior can be reflected in reductions in plant growth and development due to reduced water absorption by the roots, consequently causing an imbalance of nutrients in the plant due to low absorption rate and competition between nutrients and salts in the preferred routes of absorption in the roots.

Keywords

• water consumption
• semi-arid conditions
• salinity
• Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench