ROLE OF PHYSIOLOGICAL PLASTICITY IN ADAPTABILITY OF SOME NATIVE GRASSES TO HYPER-SALINE ENVIRONMENTS

Six grasses Ochthochloa compressa (Oc), Lasiurus scindicus (Ls), Panicum antidotale (Pa), Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Cj), Leptochloa fusca (Lf), Aeluropus lagopoides (Al) collected from the study range of Kallar Kahar (North Punjab) to Cholistan (South Punjab) were tested for role of plasticity in physioilogical attributes in salt-adaptability. Samples of each species collected from three different sites varying in soil salinity along with their rhizospheric soil. Soil samples collected from depths of 0-5cm, 15-20cm and 25-30cm and packed in polythene zipper bags with proper labeling. Higher Na and K concentrations noted in soil samples in most of the sites (HsP, KKr, KnP, PkA and 87A) building higher soil ECe. Results showed general decreasing trend of ECe and Na with increasing depths of soil in all sites. However, variable results for soil moisture contents (MC), pH, organic matter, K, Ca, Mg, P, NO3-, NH3 and Cl- recorded. Among bio-chemical parameters of shoot, Na, Na/K ratio, Ca and P increased with higher levels of salinity while Mg and Cl behaved variably. Shoot Na, Na/K ratio, Ca, Mg and P contents positively correlated with ECe and Na concentration in soil. In comparison, shoot FW, DW, K and N showed a negative correlation with soil ECe and Na. In conclusion, hyper accumulation of Na, K, organic osmotica, anti-oxidative enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT) identified as possible adaptability mechanisms for survival of the tolerant grasses under saline environments.

Automated summary

This study examined the physiological attributes of six grass species collected from different sites with varying levels of soil salinity, revealing the role of plasticity in salt-adaptability. The results showed that different grass species exhibited varying responses to salt stress, with some showing positive correlations with physiological parameters such as Na, K concentrations, and growth hormones. Such adaptation mechanisms include hyperaccumulation of Na, K, organic osmotica, and antioxidative enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT) for survival in saline environments.