Effect of Seawater on Salvadora persica Linn

Abstract

Twenty nine per cent seeds of Salvadora persica germinated in pure seawater (56 dS m^-l although maximum germination was recorded in distilled water. In isotonic solutions of 12 atmospheres. maximum germination was observed in NaCl followed by mannitol and Na₂S0₄. Reduction of about 6 % in soluble proteins in various parts of 21 day old seedlings grown in 24 dS m^-l seawater was observed. Salinity induced an increase in accumulation of glutamic acid, glycine.isoleucine. leucine. methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine. threonine and valine in different parts, whereas reverse effect was noted for arginine, alanine, aspartic acid and asparagine.Accumulation of total. reducing and major sugars in three of four parts of the seedlings was adversely affected under salinity stress. Increased uptake of cations and Cl was observed in seedlings grown in seawater.