Growth and ion accumulation in Salicornia europaea under saline field conditions

Summary The relationship between the distribution and growth of Salicornia europaea and soil conditions was studied on an inland saline marsh. Data were collected concerning plant growth, ion content, and water potential of S. europaea throughout the growing season to determine how these responses were related to soil-ionic content, electrical conductivity, and water potential. Soil salinity concentration was the factor most highly correlated with plant growth, survival and ionic content of organs of S. europaea.This research was supported in part by NSF research grant DEB 7927236. We thank the Morton Salt Company for allowing us to carry out these investigations at Rittman, Ohio