Chinese Bulletin of Botany ›› 2012, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (5): 491-499.DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1259.2012.00491

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Effect of NaCl on Physiological Features of 4 Legume Seedlings in Desert Areas of Xinjiang, China

Zhangxiong Han1,2,3, Li Li1,3*, Xinwen Xu1, Xiangfang Lü5, Hongxia Yue1, Zhen Bian4, Lizheng Li2   

  1. 1Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China;

    2Xi’an Testing and Quality Supervision Center for Geological and Mineral Products, The Ministry of Land and Resource, Xi’an 710054, China

    3Qira State Field Observation Station of Desert Grassland Ecosystem, Cele 848300, China;

    4University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, China;

    5Urumqi Municipal Environmental Monitoring Center, Urumqi 830000, China
  • Received:2012-02-14 Revised:2012-06-28 Online:2012-09-01 Published:2012-07-24
  • Contact: Li Li

Abstract: We investigated the effect of 30-day NaCl treatment on chlorophyll fluorescence variables, chlorophyll content and water potential in 4 legume seedlings, Amorpha fruticosa, Hedysarum scoparium, Caragana korshinskii and Alhagi sparsifolia, introduced in Tazhong Botanical Garden, Xinjiang, northwestern China. NaCl did not change chlorophyll fluorescence values, chlorophyll content, or leaf water potential in C. korshinskii and A. sparsifolia, but the results were opposite for A. fruticosa and H. scoparium. C. korshinskii and A. sparsifolia showed more stable photosynthetic and physiological characteristics than A. fruticosa and H. scoparium with NaCl. Leaf chlorophyll content and water potential were related in part to chlorophyll fluorescence values with 30-day NaCl treatment and may be used to indicate plant responses to NaCl.