Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Anand, 388 001, Gujarat
In order to understand the role of different physiological traits imparting high salinity tolerance in Salvadora persica, analysis of leaf epicuticular waxes, (LEW) was done from September 1994 to April 1996. The wax components were fractionated by Thin Layer Chromatography. Results indicated increased leaf epicuticular wax content with increase in in situ salinity and from September to April (i.e., from rainy season to summer season), attaining maximum amounts in April, when soils had high salinity of 60–75 dS m−1 in the top 30 cm layer. However, samples collected from non-saline fields (adjacent to the experimental site) had lower amounts of waxes irrespective of the seasons. Onset of monsoon and further recharging of the soil decreased the salinity and also the LEW content. Composition of LEW showed the presence of high amounts of Primary- and Secondary alcohols, OH-β-diketones and aldehydes under high salinity. Relevance of the qualitative and quantitative changes in leaf epicuticular wax content in relation to salinity tolerance is discussed.
