ISHS Acta Horticulturae 190: Symposium on Tomato Production on Arid Land
RESPONSES AND ADAPTATIONS OF CROPS TO SALINITY |
| Author: | A. Läuchli |
| Abstract:
A significant portion of the world's land area consists of salt-affected soils. Epstein et al. (1980) quoted estimates of the extent of saline soils to range from about 400 x 106 to 950 x 106 hectares, and of the estimated 230 x 106 irrigated soils world-wide, about one-third are affected by salinity. Thus, salinity represents a major threat to irrigated agriculture. Crops vary in sensitivity to salinity from very salt-sensitive to salt-resistant; this topic has been comprehensively treated by Maas and Hoffman (1977) and Maas (1984). In addition to the knowledge of differential sensitivity of crops to salinity, it is very important to understand the basic mechanisms of salt tolerance in plants which mediate their responses to salinity. In this brief review the principal responses and adaptations of crops to salinity are summarized; more comprehensive reviews have been presented by Epstein (1980), Greenway and Munns (1980), Jefferies (1981) and Wyn Jones (1981). | |
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