Effects of Soil Salinity on Growth, Ion Relations, and Compatible Solute Accumulation of Two Sumac Species: Rhus glabra and Rhus trilobata.

The effects of soil salinity on growth, photosynthetic pigments, ion relations, and compatible solute accumulation of two sumac seedlings (Rhus glabraandRhus trilobata) treated with five salinity levels in a completely randomized block design with four replications were studied. Both species were inhibited by soil salinity, but salt-damaged symptoms appeared much earlier and more severely inR. glabra, and relative height growth rates (RGRH) and photosynthetic pigment contents were much higher on average inR. trilobata. The biomass increment, root/shoot ratio, and relative shoot dry weight (DW) were significantly affected only inR. glabra. Rhus trilobatashowed stable potassium (K+) concentration and low sodium (Na+) accumulation in roots, stems, and leaves, and a proline concentration 10 times greater than that ofR. glabra. Overall, our findings suggest thatR. trilobatais more salt-tolerant thanR. glabra, which is presumably rooted in its better performance in ionic homeostasis and osmotic regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]