Temporal Variations in Water and Ion Relations in Coastal Halophytes

Halophytes are plants which can complete their life cycle under saline conditions. Coastal halophytes are also highly resilient to large variations in moisture and temperature. Some of these plants are grazed by cattle and are good sand binders. The underlying mechanisms which allow halophytes to adapt to coastal environment are poorly understood. The present study investigated the diurnal (pre-dawn and noon water relations) and seasonal (Summer: June; Monsoon: August; and Winter: January) variation in the ion and water relations of four coastal plants: Halopyrum mucronatum (high dune), Suaeda fruticosa (low dune), Sporobolus tremulus (low marsh), and Avicennia marina (high marsh). Leaf-level ecophysiology of these dominant coastal plants showed considerable variations at the diurnal and seasonal scales and can be used as stress marker for studying coastal vegetation.