Effect of salt stress on the physiological and photosynthetic characteristics of Weigela florida

Effects of salt stress on the physiological and photosynthetic characteristics of Weigela florida were studied. The results showed that the leaf area of Weigela florida was enhanced at 0.1% and 0.2% salt concentration, but decreased obviously when salt concentration was higher than 0.3%. The symptom of the salt injury was not significant when the salt concentration was lower than 0.3%, but was significant when higher than 0.4%. The water content decreased gradually but the electrolyle leakage increased gradually with the increasing of salt concentration and time. The total content of chlorophyll was rising while salt concentration was lower than 0.3%, but decreased while salt concentration was higher than 0.4%. The proline contents increased gradually while salt concentration was lower than 0.5%, but decreased at 0.5%. The soluble sugar content increased gradually with the increasing of salt concentration and prolonging of treatment, but decreased at 0.4% salt concentration 15 days after salt treatment. To the photosynthetic characteristics, the salt concentrations of 0.1% and 0.2% did not affect the photosynthetic characteristics of Weigela florida, when salt concentration was higher than 0.3%, the salinity significantly reduced Pn, Gs and Tr, but enhanced intercellular CO₂ concentrations at the salt concentrations of 0.3% and 0.4%. It was indicated that 0.1% and 0.2% salt concentrations had little influence on Weigela florida. The growth of Weigela florida was slightly decreased at the salt concentration of 0.3% without effect on its normal growth. However, the salt concentration of 0.4% affected the growth of Weigela florida obviously. Weigela florida died 7 days after treatment and it could not normally grow when salt concentration is higher than 0.5%.