The effects of soil salinity in three regions on growth and biochemical parameters of Halocnemum strobilaceum (Case study: southeastern edge of Urmia Lake)

Soil salinity is on the increase around the world and it is considered as one of the most important challenges for the agricultural practices in world. Research has shown that saline soils limit the plant growth. Halocnemum strobilaceum plant belongs to the family of Chenopodiaceae and is a halophyte. The drying of Urmia Lake has led to the growth of this plant in saline soils of the region. This study was to investigate the effect of soil salinity on growth factors and osmolytes of H.strobilaceum plant in three regions (Chipgloo, Tapeh Chahar Borj, and Sahra Jen) southeastern edge of Urmia Lake. Soil and plant samples were analyzed for evaluation of growth parameters and physiological indices. The results indicated that Tapeh Chahar Bborj with silt-loamy texture had the minimum salinity (3.5 dS/m) and Sahra Jen region with sandy-loamy soil had the maximum salinity (17/43 dS/m). Also, results showed that the length, fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids significantly decreased with increasing salinity while the Malondi aldehyde and proline and glycine betaine increased.