PRODUCTION AND WATER RELATIONSHIPS OF THE HALOPHYTIC FODDER CROP, Atriplex nummularia, IRRIGATED WITH SEA WATER

Abstract

The results of three experiments are presented in this paper. The first experiment supported the hypothesis that some halophytes are capable of growth and production of large quantities of organic matter when irrigated with sea water. Atriplex nummularia irrigated with 100% sea water showed approximately a 1/3 to 1/2 reduction in growth (biomass) compared to plants irrigated with 15% sea water. The second experiment further supported the initial hypothesis. In greenhouse experiments elongation rates decreased during adaptation to increased salinity. The greenhouse experiments served as a preliminary study of the water relationships that occur in A. nummularia. The third experiment demonstrated a simple method for determining important parameters about the water relationships of the plants in the field. It was also shown that an osmotic adjustment occurred in the cells of plants irrigated with sea water, allowing them to maintain turgor and to continue growth.