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Influence of external salinity on the osmolality of xylem sap, leaf tissue and leaf gland secretion of the mangrove Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn

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Abstract

This study assessed if mature leaves of Laguncularia racemosa were able to demonstrate salt secretion, and if the magnitude of secretion was a function of soil salinity. Thus, salinity influence on the osmolality of leaf tissue, xylem sap and leaf secretion was assessed in field and glasshouse experiments. As salinity increased, solutes were accumulated in sufficient quantity to decrease osmotic potential over the whole range of water potential. In the field, xylem osmolality (mol m−3) increased with salinity from 32.4±2.9 at 17‰ to 38.2±0.6 at 28‰. Similarly, in the glasshouse, xylem sap osmolality (mol m−3) increased from 33.4±1.8 (15‰) to 40.6±1.5 (30‰). Changes in Na+ concentration explained about 51–58% of increase in xylem osmolality. Rates of secretion (mmol m−2 day−1) in the field increased from 0.80±0.12 (17‰) to 1.16±0.14 (28‰), and in the glasshouse the secretion increased from 0.73±0.07 (15‰) to 1.25±0.07 (30‰). The Na+ accounted for 40–53% of total secretion. This study presented evidence of the capability of mature leaves of L. racemosa to secrete salt for the first time, and that the rates of secretion were enhanced as soil salinity increased.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support was provided by DID-USB (Fondo de Trabajo 2001–2002), and Intecmar-USB permitted the use of field facilities. Thanks go to the editor and anonymous referees for helpful criticisms and suggestions that improved this manuscript.

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  1. Laboratorio de Biología Ambiental de Plantas, Departamento de Biología de Organismos, Universidad Simon Bolívar, Apartado 89.000, 1080A, Caracas, Venezuela

    M. A. Sobrado

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Correspondence to M. A. Sobrado.

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Sobrado, M.A. Influence of external salinity on the osmolality of xylem sap, leaf tissue and leaf gland secretion of the mangrove Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn. Trees 18, 422–427 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-004-0320-4

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