Effects of sea water on germination, growth, accumulation of organic compounds and inorganic ions in halophytic grass Heleochloa setulosa (Trin) blatt et Mccann.

Eleven per cent seeds of Heleochloa setulosa germinated in 8 dS m⁻¹ sea water and the process was totally impaired in 16 dS m⁻¹ and higher salinity. Shoot and root length as well as fresh and dry weight of the 60-day-old plants of H. setulosa decreased in plants grown in 10 to 40 dS m⁻¹ sea water salinity as compared to control. Protein content varying between 117 to 147 mg g⁻¹ dry wt in shoots and roots was adversely affected beyond 20 dS m⁻¹ salinity. Asparagine, aspartic acid, glycine, phenylalanine and proline increased in salt treated plants. Concentrations of total, reducing and major sugars in young plants decreased with increase in sea water salinity in growth medium. Accumulation of Na⁺ and CI⁻ in salt treated plants were greater than salt free plants, whereas Ca⁺², Mg⁺², and K⁺ content did not show specific trend in relation to increased salinity.