Freezing tolerance in Algerian populations of Atriplex halimus and Atriplex canescens

Abstract

The freezing tolerance of populations of the fodder species Atriplex halimus L. and Atriplex canescens (Pursh.) Nutt (Chenopodiaceae) from different locations in Algeria was investigated, in relation to plant provenance and leaf cation concentrations. For two populations of A. halimus, the effect of increased soil salinity (addition of NaCl) on tolerance was determined. Tolerance was determined in leaf electrolyte leakage assays and by assessment of visual damage, after exposure to temperatures between -5 and -25 C deg. There was significant correlation (P