Abstract:
In the present study, variable changes in morphological, physiological and nutritional composition changes of Aeluropus lagopoides and Octhocloa compressa were assessed to check the salt tolerance and nutritional potential of the two desert grass species. A. lagopoides and O. compressa populations were collected from the natural habitat, Ladam Sir, which is highly salted area of the Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Collected samples were grown in the control habitats to acclimatize them to the ambient environmental conditions. The experiment was carried out after acclimatization, using a complete randomised design (CRD) with two grass species and four salt levels (Control, 100, 200, 300 mM of NaCl) as factors, as well as four replications of each treatment. After three months, plant samples were collected carefully to study the salt tolerance potential, morphological and physiological adaptations and nutritional value against salt stress. The effects of salinity were prominent on both grasses and both were discovered as the most salt tolerant species with high nutritive potential. Morphological characters of Aeluropus lagopoides showed more stability in root length, shoot length, number of leaves, internodal length and plant fresh weight under salinity except at highest salt concentration than O. compressa. Osmotic adjustment and tissue ionic content constancy was more pronounced in Aeluropus lagopoides due to which it can withstand harsh environmental conditions. Results clearly concluded that A. lagopoides is more tolerant, which assured the survival of the plant under heavy salinity stress and has more nutritive potential than O. compressa.
Page(s):
132-132
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on Global Science Technology and Management Conference, Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023
Keywords:
NaCl stress
,
Salt tolerance
,
Aeluropus lagopoides Linn
,
forage nutritional potential