Root System Architecture Changes in Stachys multicaulis Benth. Under Drought and Salinity Stress Affected by Soil Texture

The aim of this research was to assess the changes of root morpho-physiologycal properties inStachys multicaulis Benth., an Iranian endemic medicinal plant under drought and salinity stress in relation tosoil texture. Drought treatments included ۳ day intervals of irrigation period (۳, ۶, ۹, ۱۲, and ۱۵ days) andsalinity treatments (۰, ۵, ۱۰, ۱۵, ۲۰ and ۲۵ ds/m) were used at a completely randomized design in three differentsoil textures (light, medium and heavy). Scions were gathered from the field, transferred to the growth chamberand cultivated in pots. Drought and salinity treatments were applied on individuals obtained from scions. Theresults showed that drought and salinity had considerable effect on plant root properties based on different soiltextures. Root length and volume increased along with the increasing the severity of drought in all soil textures.While root length and volume decreased due to increase of salinity severity. Plant root length was ۲۴, ۱۰ and۱۷ cm, respectively for drought, salinity and control sample in heavy soil. Both salinity and drought stress, hada positive effect on root density

Keywords:

Drought , Salinity , Soil Texture , Root System , Stachys multicaulis