Fresh weight changes effect of halophyte Bruguiera cylindrica ON NaCl

The plants that can be naturally established in saline soil is termed the halophytes. Halophytes shape the environments they live in, changing the surface of the earth in the process. The seedlings of Bruguiera cylindrica were selected during September month for the present study and they were collected from mangrove forest in Pichavaram, Tamilnadu. This was growing in the tidal forest mangrove belt. These seedlings were washed and planted in polytene bags separately. Before this bags were filled with Sand, Humus and Red sand in 1:2:1 ratio. Various concentrations of Sodium Chloride solution (100,200,300,400,500,600 and 700mM) were prepared using distilled water. Plants treated with distilled water were maintained separately. Plants were separated into groups and irrigated with various concentration treatment separately. After the completion of salt treatment, the seedlings were collected periodically at one month intervals upto four months and utilised for the study of fresh weight. From the results the fresh weight increased in 100mM than control. While the concentration increased from 200mM and 300mM fresh weight also increased. The maximum fresh weight of seedlings of Bruguiera cylindrica were observed in 400mM concentration treatment. While the concentration increase upto 400mM the fresh weight of seedlings were decreased in 500mM, 600mM and very low fresh weight were observed in 700mM treated seedlings of Bruguiera cylindrica. Seedlings of halophytes are known to tolerate high salinity during their presence in the soil and germinate when soil salinity are reduced.