Eco-morphic variation for salt tolerance in some grasses from Cholistan desert, Pakistan.

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of salt stress on some ecologically different populations of three grasses viz., Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Jones) Schult, Lasiurus scindicus Henr., and Ochthochloa compressa (Forssk.) Hilu] from the Cholistan desert. The populations of all three grasses from the highly salt-affected habitats were relatively more salt tolerant. Of the three grasses, Ochthochloa compressa was the most tolerant as it was least affected due to salt stress in terms of different growth attributes measured in the present study. Cymbopogon jwarancusa was moderately salt tolerant, whereas Lasiurus scindicus was salt sensitive.