ANATOMICAL ADAPTATIONS OF TOLERANCE TO SALT STRESS IN CENCHRUS CILIARIS L., A SALINE DESERT GRASS.

Cenchrus ciliaris is a potential forage grass that widely grows in saline desert environment. To examine root, stem and leaf anatomical modifications, population of Cenchrus ciliaris L. (Buffal grass) was collected from the naturally saline patches of the Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Four salinity treatments 0 mM of NaCl (control), 100, 200 and 300 mM of NaCl were maintained in half strength Hoagland nutrient solution by using hydroponic system. After 16 weeks of growth in nutrient solution root, stem and leaf anatomical characteristics were studied. Salt stress induced anatomical modification in root, stem and leaf that help to survive species in adverse environmental condition. At root level, salinity increased the thickness of endodermis and sclerenchyma tissues both prevent the water loss from root surface and also increased in number of parenchyma cells in pith and cortex region that improved the water storage capacity of root. At stem level, salinity contributed in epidermis and sclerenchyma thickness along with increase in number of vascular bundles and its area that might be improved conduction of water and solute, increase succulence ability and preventing water loss. In case of leaf and leaf sheath, decreased in stomatal density and its area, increased bulliform cell, and rich density of vesicular hairs and trichomes might be essential for water conservation and salt excretion. On the basis of anatomical modifications and its correlation with biomass it was concluded that C. ciliaris 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]