Oxalate and Inorganic Ion Concentrations in Atriplex triangularis Willd. Organs in Response to Salinity, Light Level, and Aeration

Inorganic ion and oxalate content of Atriplex triangularis organs was determined for both field- and laboratory-grown plants. Na and Cl were the principal ions accumulated by field- and laboratory-grown plants under saline conditions. Plant organs generally had an excess cation balance under all treatments. Total oxalate content was highest in plants grown in the nonsaline controls. The addition of NaCl to the media, lowering of light level, and lack of aeration decreased the total oxalate content of tissue. Leaves had the highest total oxalate concentration, averaging 12% of tissue dry weight. Field-grown plants had lower water-soluble oxalate content than did laboratory-grown plants at comparable salinity treatments.