Effects of sea-water flooding of soil on growth of potted 17 woody plants distributed along the coastal area of the Pacific Ocean in eastern Japan

Abstract

Evaluation of salt tolerance for tree species are essential to reduce the salt damages rendered by Tsunami on coastal forests. In this study, soil of potted 17 tree species, which are found along the coastal areas in the Pacific side of eastern Japan, were flooded by sea water for 24hr, and changes in plant survival, leaf color, and Fv/Fm ratio were investigated. The responses to sea water flooding were different greatly among tree species despite the EC of sea water was comparatively low (19.0 mS cm^-1). Juglans mandshurica var. sachalinensis, Castanea crenata, Robinia pseudoacacia, Celtis sinensis var. japonica, Prunus yamasakura, and Cameria japonica changed leaf color rapidly and died just after sea water flooding. However, no dead plants were observed for Pittosporum tobira , and 3 conifers (Cryptomeria japonica, Pinus densiflora and Pinus thunbergii). These 5 species showed little change in leaf color. Other 7species showed intermediate responses.