Effects of salinity on the growth and proline,soluble sugar and protein contents of Spartina alterniflora

Abstract

Under different salinity conditions,variations of height,stem diameter,leaf length and width,leaf area,fresh weight,proline,soluble sugar and protein contents of Spartina alterniflora seedlings were investigated.The results showed that the height tended to decrease with the increaseing salinity in the medium.In high salinity (50‰) treatment,the leaf area and length decreased significantly compared with control,and single plant fresh weight decreased more than those of low salinity treatments.The sugar and proline contents in leaves generally increased with salinity.The content of protein also increased with salinity,which implied the increase in protein synthesis.Accumulation of osmoprotectants was the key response of Spartina alterniflora under salinity stress,and it could be characterized as an indicator of salt tolerance.