Acta Univ Latv (2008) 745: 165–177

Changes of nutritional status of coastal plants Hydrocotyle vulgaris and Aster tripolium at elevated soil salinity

Abstract

The aim of the present paper was to examine the effect of increased substrate NaCl on concentration of nutrients in tissues of two coastal marsh plants Hydrocotyle vulgaris and Aster tripolium. Increased substrate salinity due to watering with NaCl solution led to accumulation of both Na and Cl ions in tissues of both species studied. In H. vulgaris leaf blade and leaf petiole tissues both Na and Cl concentrations were saturated. In contrast there was an increase of Na and Cl concentration in both leaf and root tissues of A. tripolium with increasing substrate concentration. N and P concentrations were differentially affected by increasing substrate NaCl. While both minerals increased in tissues of H. vulgaris, for A. tripolium concentration of N decreased and that of P increased in roots. The effect of NaCl on S concentration was species-specific – it increased in leaf petioles and stolons of H. vulgaris and decreased in both leaves and roots of A. tripolium. The most pronounced stimulation of mineral concentration by NaCl was found for Mn. Increase in Cu concentration was characteristic for all tissues of both species while Fe concentration increased in A. tripolium and leaf tissues of H. vulgaris. In conclusion, possible adaptive responses leading to maintenance of an optimal supply of mineral nutrients in conditions of high Na and Cl concentrations in cells can be seen.