Growth and Ionic Composition of Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus L.) in Response to Soil Salinity and Water Stress

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 stress