Mechanism of salt tolerance in the grass species, Anneurolepidium chinense

Abstract

The salt-tolerant grass plant, Anneurolepidium chinense, is commonly used for grazing in Northeast China and Inner Mongolia. The plants were grown in water culture and salt tolerance was evaluated in a greenhouse. The plants survived upon exposure to 500 mM NaCI salinity and developed stolons to produce daughter plants. Under 100 and 200 mM NaCI salinity, the plants accumulated mainly K+ to maintain the osmotic pressure of the young leaf blades. Betaine and reducing sugars were also the major constituents of the solutes that accumulated under saline conditions.

Key Words:

• Anneurolepidium chinense
• betaine
• monocotyledonous halophyte
• salt tolerance
• soil salinity