Effect of NaCl salinity on growth and mineral partitioning in Quercus robur L., a rhythmically growing species

 Sodium salt sensitivity of common oak (Quercus robur L.) was evaluated in hydroponic culture using INRA-Morizet solution. Addition of NaCl to the nutrient solution reduced only length and weight of roots and first flush stems. In contrast, the second flush was properly expanded even in the presence of 40 mM of NaCl in culture medium. Both leaf number and leaf area were not affected by increasing salt concentration in medium culture while this increase induced significant leaf damage especially in first flush leaves. Stem starch storage was reduced only at 40 mM NaCl treatment. Common oak seedlings seemed to be able to better compartmentalize sodium than chloride when the NaCl concentration increased in the medium culture. Chloride presented a lower uptake than sodium. Sodium was preferentially accumulated in roots and this accumulation occurred at the expense of potassium uptake. The decrease of ATP content in leaves of common oak seedlings submitted to NaCl treatments could indicate that it was used for sodium exclusion out of the leaves, especially in second flush leaves. Relationships between growth responses, starch and mineral element distribution in common oak seedlings will be discussed. Received: 20 November 1997 / Accepted: 3 March 1998