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The effect of exposure to sea water on germination and vegetative growth of an epiphytic bromeliad

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

Gerhard Zotz  and
Norman Reuter
Gerhard Zotz*
Affiliation:
Universität Oldenburg, Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, AG Functional Ecology, Box 2503, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado Postal 0843-03092, Balboa, Ancon, Panamá, República de Panamá
Norman Reuter
Affiliation:
Universität Oldenburg, Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, AG Functional Ecology, Box 2503, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany
*
1Corresponding author. Email: gerhard.zotz@uni-oldenburg.de
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Abstract:

Vascular epiphytes can be quite abundant in vegetation close to the ocean surf, where they are exposed to a more or less continuous input of salt spray. The ecophysiological basis of their occurrence, i.e. salt tolerance or avoidance, is unresolved, because all previous studies were observational and conclusions thus circumstantial. Here, the effect of varying concentrations of salt water on germination, and growth and survival of seedlings and established plants was investigated in a growth cabinet study under controlled conditions. Seeds (1500), seedlings (750) and small tank plants (336) were from four populations of Werauhia sanguinolenta that were growing either close to the sea or inland in Panama. Changes of Na+ and K+ concentrations in plant tissue were also determined. No differences in the sensitivity to salt were found among populations, nor among life stages. External concentrations (Cext) of up to 15% sea water (c. 0.5% Na+) allowed complete germination as well as positive growth and survival in both seedlings and established plants over short periods (8–10 wk). After longer exposure (12 wk) of established plants visible damage and increased mortality were observed at lower Cext, but critical tissue Na+ levels were similar: c. 50 mg gDW−1. It is concluded that this common epiphyte does not meet the definition of a halophyte, but still possesses a rather high tolerance to sodium.

Keywords

Bromeliaceaeepiphytesglycophytehalophyteheteroblastymangrovenutrient limitationPanamaRGRseedsWerauhia sanguinolenta
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 25 , Issue 3 , May 2009 , pp. 311 - 319
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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