The International Institute for Science, Technology and Education (IISTE)
Abstract
Salinity and bad quality irrigation water is very common problem in Pakistan due to limited rainfall, more evapo-transpiration and high temperature. So, there is need to select salt and drought tolerant plants. In view of that a pot experiment was conducted to study the growth performance and ionic composition of Conocarpus erectus L. under saline and water stress conditions. Eight treatments (Control, 10 dSm-1, 20 dSm-1, 40 dSm-1, water stress, 10 dSm-1 + water stress, 20 dSm-1 + water stress, 40 dSm-1 + water stress) were evaluated in order to assess their effect on plant growth and ionic composition . At T8 (40 dSm-1 + water stress), plants did not survive. The data regarding growth parameters and physiological were recorded at different stages of plant growth. Plant ionic parameters including Na+, K+ were determined in stem, leaves and root after harvesting. The data were analyzed statistically. It is concluded that Conocarpus erectus L. can tolerate salinity up to 40dSm-1 with full water but at salinity and water stress level of 40 dSm-1 + water stress, there was no survival of even a single plant. Keywords: Growth, potassium status, buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus L.), soil salinity, water stres
