NaCl ENHANCES GROWTH AND MORPHOGENESIS POTENTIAL OF ALHAGI GRAECORUM

The contamination of soils with excess salts is one of the greatest challenges to plant survival, but some unique species have evolved to thrive in highly saline environments. One such species, Alhagi graecorum Boiss., has been previously shown to accumulate high levels of sodium while growing in salt marshes. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of saline conditions on the growth and the regeneration capacity of this species. Plantlets and explants of A. graecorum were cultured on a medium supplemented with various concentrations of NaCl, where A. graecorum tissues accumulated up to 8% Na+. The capacity for regeneration was enhanced by the excess sodium, indicating a requirement of salt for optimal growth and development in this species. Further study of this species may provide new concepts and understanding of the metabolism of sodium in higher plants.