PS 36-178 - Eco-physiological adaptation through biochemical changes in halophytic vegetation growing in arid and semi-arid region

Background/Question/Methods

Intensive researches on ecology and biodiversity and its values, uses, loss, conservation and management during last two decades have made a spectacular nische in the field of environmental science. Major physiological process in plants differs according to their environmental and abiotic conditions. Glycophytes and halophytes are two major groups of terrestrial plants which have physiological adaptations in terms of the salinity. Analysis of morphological and physiological adaptations like succulence, non-succulence, salt avoidance and salt tolerance are being observed growing in halophytic plants. In the present study succulent and non-succulent plants are analysed for their ecological and physiological adaptations in arid and semi-arid regions. Differential approaches of succulent and non-succulent plants for accumulating of Na+ and Cl- in the phylloclade’s as well as its edaphic conditions are being observed. Biochemical concentrations in dicotyledons and monocotyledons species with respect to salinity in arid and semi arid regions are being shown in this research work.

Results/Conclusions

Results of ion concentrations in succulent leaves of S. nudiflora growing at semi-arid locations showed that ash content ranged between 43.02 to 45.03 % and Na⁺ (6.27 to 8.91 meq.g^-1) and Cl^- (8.15 to 12.52 meq.g^-1) constituted a major fraction of the salts. Likewise, Mg²⁺ varying between 0.78 to 0.88 meq.g^-1 exceeded the amount of Ca²⁺ (0.48 to 0.55 meq.g^-1). The K⁺ content was noticed between 0.95 to 1.33 meq.g^-1. A moderately salt tolerant grass S. coromandellianus, was observed to be dried in semi-arid habitat in summer. Observations of mineral ions concentrations in leaves of this monocot species showed that accumulation of Na⁺ (1.11 to 1.3 meq.g^-1) and Cl^- (0.94 to 1.91 meq.g^-1) fluctuated in a narrow range during monsoon and winter. Mg²⁺ (0.87 to 0.75 meq.g^-1) was recorded with greater amounts than that of Ca²⁺ (0.29 to 0.32 meq.g^-1). The K⁺ content ranging between 0.71 to 0.86 meq.g^-1 was low. Mineral analysis of plant samples of 2 dicot and 2 monocot species indicated that Na⁺ and Cl^- mainly contributed to the salt content in species, followed by Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and K⁺. Foregoing observations suggested that functional diversity in accumulating mineral ions exists in dicot and monocot plants in halophytes.