Effect of NaCl and Na 2 SO 4 on osmotic potential, water relations and ions changes of Alhagi persarum L.

The current study was done to determine water relations and ion changes of Alhagi persarum at different salinity concentrations. The plants were grown under control (no salt) and 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mmol/L NaCl and Na 2 SO 4 , separately. Plants were nitrified 6 months and treatments were applied 45 days. Ion concentrations, osmotic potential, relative water capacity and water use efficiency were measured. Results of Duncan test indicated that Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ and K + contents decreased with salinity increasing at all treatments. The concentration of Na + and Cl increased at moderate salinity, but they inhibited at higher salinity. Osmotic potentials increased significantly at 200 mmol/L or higher salinities. RWC decreased at low and increased at moderate and high salinity of Na 2 SO 4 . WUE enhanced in up to 200-300 mmol/L and declined at higher salinity. Result of t-test showed that K + , Na + , Cl and RWC at NaCl and osmotic potential at Na 2 SO 4 were more. Generally, this study suggests that salinity stress is required as a normal part of the growth and development of A. persarum.