EFFECTS OF SALT STRESS ON GROWTH AND FLOWERING OF ORNAMENTAL ANNUAL SPECIES

In 2008, a series of experiments were performed at the Institute of Ornamental Plants - Sofia in greenhouse conditions that tested the influence of salt stress on species of annual plants - Tagetes patula and Ageratum mexicanum. The plants were cultivated in pots under normal soil conditions and salt stress was induced by adding solutions with different concentrations of NaCl (0.4%, 1.2% and 2.0%). The following results were obtained: The suppression of plant growth increases with the increase of NaCl concentration. The plants, treated with NaCl, have earlier and shorter blooming period than non-treated plants.