The effect of salinity stress on some morphological and physiological characteristics of Ammodendron persicum conollyi

This study investigated the effects of different concentrations of salinity stress on some morphological and physiological characteristics of Ammodendron persicum using a randomized complete design with four replicates. The salinity factors were control, salinity concentrations of 2. 4. 8 and 12 ds/m and the results showed that salinity significantly affected on all morphological characteristics of the plant. The salinity decreased stem diameter, the number of leaves, stem height, wet and dry weight of aerial parts and increased wet and dry weight of root. The results also showed that salinity increased the amounts of proline in which the highest amount of proline measured in salinity of 12 ds/m and was equal to 0.046 mg/g and the lowest amount measured in control and was equal to 0.022 mg/g. The highest amount of soluble sugar measured in salinity of 12 ds/m and was equal to 0.75 mg/g while the lowest amount measured in control which was equal to 0.63 mg/g. Increasing salinity also increased the amounts of chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll. Increasing salinity decreased percentage of Nitrogen and the highest amounts of N measured in control (equal to 2.13%) and the lowest found in 12 ds/m (equal to 1.57). Increasing salinity decreased also the amounts of K, P, Ca, Mg, and Kﳖ and increased the amounts of Na. It is concluded that Ammodendron persicum is not resistant to salinity and would not have suitable growth in soil with salinity more than 2 ds/m.