Effect of seasalt stress on the growth and ion contents of Paspalum vaginatum

Growth response and contents of Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ of seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) were studied by treating it with 1/2 Hoagland solution containing seasalt with concentrations of 0, 6.8, 13.6, 20.4, 27.2 and 34 g/L. The results showed that the growth of seashore paspalum was inhibited by seasalt stress, and the inhibiting was stronger along with the increasing of seasalt concentration. The content of Na+ in leaf and stem increased with the increasing of seasalt concentration, while the seasalt concentration was 34 g/L, the content of Na+ in leaf and stem were 23.35 mg/g and 22.27 mg/g. While the seasalt concentration was 6.8 g/L, the content of Na+ in root was no significant different with CK, but it was significant higher than CK in the other treatments. The content of K+ in leaf kept at 25 mg/g and did not change with increased seasalt concentration. The content of K+ in stem was decreased gradually with the increased seasalt concentration. The maximum content of K+ in root was 6.4 mg/g at 20.4 g/L of seasalt concentration; it decreased at 34 g/L but higher than CK. The stable content of K+ in leaf might be one of reasons for the strong tolerance of seashore paspalum.