High phenotypic plasticity of Suaeda maritima observed under hypoxic conditions in relation to its physiological basis.

Background And Aims: Phenotypic plasticity, the potential of specific traits of a genotype to respond to different environmental conditions, is an important adaptive mechanism for minimizing potentially adverse effects of environmental fluctuations in space and time. Suaeda maritima shows morphologically different forms on high and low areas of the same salt marsh. Our aims were to examine whether these phenotypic differences occurred as a result of plastic responses to the environment.

Factors associated with determination of root ²²Na (+) influx in the salt accumulation halophyte Suaeda maritima.

Salinity is an increasing problem for agricultural production worldwide. The result of low-affinity Na(+) uptake is toxic to the cytoplasm of most crop plants. Nevertheless, the pathways for this low-affinity Na(+) uptake are still uncertain.

Do conditions during dormancy influence germination of Suaeda maritima?

Background And Aims: Seeds of annual halophytes such as Suaeda maritima experience fluctuating salinity, hydration, hypoxia and temperature during dormancy. Germination then occurs in one flush of 2-3 weeks after about 5 months of winter dormancy during which time the seeds can remain in saline, often waterlogged soil. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of simulated natural conditions during dormancy on germination and to compare this with germination following the usual conditions of storing seeds dry.