The effect of salinity stress on growth and physiology of 1-yr old seedlings of licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer ex Candolle)

Abstract

Licorice is the leguminous perennial plant growing in arid areas of China, and its root has been used for Chinese medicines. Recently, wild licorice resource is exhausting for over harvesting, and this results in desertification. To consider the restoration of salt affected soils using licorice, effects of salt stress (NaCl : 0 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM, 200 mM, 400 mM, 600 mM ) on licorice seedlings were examined. The survival and physiological properties were damaged in 400 mM, and all plants were died 600 mM. Glycyrrhizin content decreased in 400 mM. Na⁺ content and Ratio of Na⁺ to K⁺ in leaf and stem significantly increased with increase of NaCl concentration