THE EFFECT OF NACL ON GROWTH AND XYLEM DIFFERENTIATION OF RADISH SEEDLINGS

Sodium chloride up to a concentration of 0.1% positively influences growth, organogenesis, and xylem differentiation of etiolated radish seedlings. Growth and differentiation are not coordinated in 0.5% NaCl: xylem element development is incomplete, and the wall deposition pattern is modified. Growth and xylem differentiation are inhibited at the highest NaCl concentrations. The modifications of parenchyma and xylem cells are more evident with increasing NaCl concentrations. An ontogenetic study of xylem identifies the stage at which seedlings are salt stressed.