CATION-ANION RELATIONSHIPS IN A NONFACULTATIVE HALOPHYTE, Galenia pubescens

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Abstract
Galenia pubescens (Eckl. and Zeyh) Druce was grown in solution culture under a variety of conditions to test its cation-anion relationships. It is a plant in which mineral cations exceed mineral anions. It then has from fewer than 100 to 400 or more milliequivalents per 100 grams of organic acid anions to balance cations minus anions. Mineral cations exceeded mineral anions in leaves, stems, and roots whether sodium chloride was added in abundance or whether the nitrogen source was nitrate, ammonia, or urea. When sodium or chlorine was added, both ions tended to accumulate in leaves rather than in roots; sodium was more pronounced in this respect than was chlorine. Galenia pubescens grew as well in a solution or in soil containing 400 meq/liter NaCl as in one without NaCl. The 400 meq/liter Na2SO4 was excessive. Galenia pubescens is a subtropical nonfacultative halophyte that can grow in nonsaline conditions and also in seawater. It has a very high rate of photosynthesis and capacity to synthesize large quantities of protein. It has possibilities as a biomass crop. Galenia pubescens (Eckl. and Zeyh) Druce was grown in solution culture under a variety of conditions to test its cation-anion relationships. It is a plant in which mineral cations exceed mineral anions. It then has from fewer than 100 to 400 or more milliequivalents per 100 grams of organic acid anions to balance cations minus anions. Mineral cations exceeded mineral anions in leaves, stems, and roots whether sodium chloride was added in abundance or whether the nitrogen source was nitrate, ammonia, or urea. When sodium or chlorine was added, both ions tended to accumulate in leaves rather than in roots; sodium was more pronounced in this respect than was chlorine. Galenia pubescens grew as well in a solution or in soil containing 400 meq/liter NaCl as in one without NaCl. The 400 meq/liter Na2SO4 was excessive. Galenia pubescens is a subtropical nonfacultative halophyte that can grow in nonsaline conditions and also in seawater. It has a very high rate of photosynthesis and capacity to synthesize large quantities of protein. It has possibilities as a biomass crop. © Williams & Wilkins 1982. All Rights Reserved.