Salt effects on growth and mineral contents of Diplachne fusca (Kallar grass)

Effects of NaCl, KC1, and CaCl2 alone, and in combinations of NaCl/KCl and NaCl/CaCl2 on growth and ion uptake by ‘Kallar'grass in soil and in solution cultures were studied. In soil up to 150 mM NaCl and KCl had little effect on growth but CaCl2 depressed growth strongly. Dry weights in 150 mM NaCl/KCl decreased but remained little affected in NaCl/CaCl2. Plant response to Na+ was little affected by Ca++ or K+ and no interactions between Na+ and Ca++ or Na+ and K+ were observed. Plant tissue exhibited a strong selectivity for K+ over Na+ Concentrations of Na and Cl in the tops exceeded those in the roots. Leaf transections are presented providing some information on the tissue anatomy.