Preliminary studies on the salt tolerance and sodium relations of common ornamental plants

Abstract

The salinity tolerance of local varieties of five ornamental species Begonia, Chlorophytum, Coleus, Geranium, and Mesembryanthemum was assessed in a medium term pot experiment. The pot grown plants were watered for 50 days with water salinised at 5 dS/m and 15 dS/m and a tap water control. Based on growth parameters and on survival, Begonia was classified as salt sensitive, Coleus, Geranium, and Chlorophtytum as moderately tolerant, and Mesembry‐ anthemum as salt tolerant. Shoot sodium (Na) content was measured at the end of the experiment. It appears that the restriction of Na entry to the shoot is linked to salinity tolerance. Mesembryanthemum seems to be able to control Na entry to the shoot at water salinities above 5 ds/m.