Study on some physiological characteristics of Salsola richteri in drought condition in the two desert regions of the South Khorasan province

Salsola richteri (chenopodiaceae) has been dispersed in desert areas of north and east of the Irano-Turanian region in Iran. In present study, physiological characteristics of S. richteri to drought stress are investigated. Sampling of the plant at flowering stage was performed in the Shahrakht and Boshrooyeh deserts, South Khorasan province, Iran. Relation of drought stress with proline, sodium, potassium, soluble protein, flavonoid concentration and acid phosphatase activity is compared in the two research areas. The results indicated that all of the mentioned parameters in the leaves of S. richteri collected in Boshrooyeh are more than those in Shahrakht. The less soil moisture and the high monthly mean temperature in Boshrooyeh made it a higher drought area comparing to Shahrakht. Therefore, the significant advantage in concentration of the compounds and more activity of acid phosphatase in the species growing in Boshrooyeh area may indicates a better physiological resistance of S. richteri to stress conditions.