Chloride Partitioning in Leaves of Salt-Stressed Sorghum, Maize, Wheat and Barley

Abstract

Chloride distribution in the blade, sheath and midrib of leaves was determined for several grasses in salinised field plots and in nutrient solutions at various NaCl levels in the greenhouse. Chloride preferentially accumulated in the sheaths relative to the blades in all grass species and varieties examined when Cl- concentrations were expressed on a dry weight basis, although to varying degrees. Substantial levels of Cl- sheath partitioning were obtained only for sorghum when Cl- con- centrations were expressed on a fresh weight basis. Partitioning of Cl- in sorghum leaves was found to be ion specific and resulted from a combination of the ability of sheath tissue to accumulate Cl- to high concentrations and blade tissue to regulate Cl- concentrations at moderate levels.