Abstract:
To examine anatomical adaptations in a potential forage grass, blue panic (Panicum antidotale Retz.), a population was collected from the naturally saline patches of the Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Using a hydroponic system, four salinity treatments 0 mM of NaCl (control), 100, 200 and 300 mM of NaCl were maintained in half strength Hoagland nutrient solution. As salinity level of the external growth medium increased, at root level, Panicum antidotale showed increased root cross-sectional area, epidermal and endodermal thicknesses, and greater proportion of cortical parenchyma. Sclerification of outer cortex was visible only at the highest salinity level. At stem level increased stem area, epidermis thickness and epidermal cell area, vascular bundle numbers and decreased vascular bundle cell area were recorded with increase in the salinity level of the medium. At leaf level, Panicum antidotale showed smaller and thicker leaves, increased epidermis thickness, and well-developed bulliform cells, increased trichome density under high salinities. Furthermore, both stomatal density and stomatal area were considerably reduced under high salinities. All these may contribute towards water conservation, which ultimately account for species survival under saline-induced physiological droughts. On the basis of anatomical modifications and its correlation with biomass it was concluded that blue panic can easily be grow at salt affected areas and such anatomical modifications seemed to be critical for the better survival of species under harsh sandy and salty environment.
Page(s):
142-142
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on Global Science Technology and Management Conference, Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023
Keywords:
Salt stress
,
Biomass
,
bulliform cells
,
anatomical adaptations
,
Sclerification
,
Panicum antidotale