Growth performance of an inland population of Plantago maritima in response to nitrogen and salinity

Abstract

The inland distribution of Plantago maritima in Ireland and Britain is strongly western and generally associated with base-rich soils or with flushes in more acidic upland soils. Plants from an eastern Irish salt marsh and from an inland population growing on shallow calcareous soils in east County Clare, Ireland, were grown in culture solutions with a range of seawater dilutions (10-100%) and nitrogen (2.8-140 ppm N) concentrations added as ammonium nitrate. A low nitrogen supply (2.8 ppm N) resulted in very low dry matter production but with increased nitrogen, plant growth increased, even of inland population plants in 50% seawater. Some inland plants survived 100% seawater, but growth was much reduced. The relatively high salinity tolerance of this inland population is discussed.

Effects of low nitrogen and drought stresses on proline synthesis of Jatropha curcas seedling

“…Fig. 1 Effects of low nitrogen supply on free proline accumulation of Jatropha curcas with or without PEG stresses A low nitrogen supply usually resulted in very low dry matter production (Sheehy Skeffington and Jeffrey 1985). Under the conditions of low nitrogen concentrations, the growth of J. curcas was significantly inhibited.…”

Responses to salt stress in the halophyte Plantago crassifolia (Plantaginaceae)

“…Different aspects of the responses to salinity have been studied in a few Plantago species, especially in the halophyte P. maritima, often in comparison with non-halophytes from the same genus (see, for example, Erdei and Kuiper, 1979;K . onigshofer, 1983;Sheehy Skeffington and Jeffrey, 1985;Staal et al, 1991), but we are not aware of any research in P. crassifolia Forssk. This perennial species is distributed throughout the Mediterranean region, in maritime salt marshes and other saline habitats.…”