TY - JOUR AU - Nedjimi, Bouzid AU - Daoud, Youcef PY - 2006/12/01 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - EFFECT OF Na2So4 ON THE GROWTH, WATER RELATIONS, PROLINE, TOTAL SOLUBLE SUGARS AND ION CONTENT OF ATRIPLEX HALIMUS SUBSP. SCHWEINFURTHII THROUGH IN VITRO CULTURE JF - Anales de Biología JA - An. biol. VL - 0 IS - 28 SE - Artículos DO - UR - https://revistas.um.es/analesbio/article/view/27151 SP - 35-43 AB - <i>Atriplex halimus subsp. Schweinfurthii</i> is a perennial halophyte, which is widely distributed in the Algerian salt steppes. This study reports the effect of sodium sulphate (Na<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>) on the growth, tissue water content, proline, total soluble sugars and ion content of the species under <i>in vitro</i> conditions. Optimal growth was observed at 50mM Na<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> and declined with a further increase in salinity. Water potential (Ψ<sub>w</sub>) of plants became more negative with an increase in salinity. Ca<sup>2+</sup>, Mg<sup>2+</sup>, and K<sup>+</sup> concentration of plants decreased with increasing salinity, while Na<sup>+</sup> and SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup> increased. Both proline and total soluble sugars content of shoots and roots were highest at 250 mM Na<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>. This study has demonstrated that salt tolerance in<i> A. halimus subsp. Schweinfurthii</i> is achieved by appropriate osmotic adjustment involving accumulation of inorganic and organic solutes. At high salinities, growth reduction probably occurs as a result of high concentrations of Na< sup>+</sup> and SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup> and their interference with other ions such as K<sup>+</sup>. This variety can be used locally as a fodder for livestock and could be useful in sand dune stabilization. ER -