Gas Exchange, Water Relations and Ion Concentrations of Leaves of Salt Stressed 'Valencia' Orange, Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck

'Valencia' orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] scions grafted on sweet orange [C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck cv. Parramatta sweet orange] rootstock were grown in soil culture under controlled environmental conditions. Salt stress was imposed by adding NaCl to the nutrient solution in increments of 5 mol m-3 per day to a final concentration of 50 mol m-3. Leaf gas exchange, water relations and sodium, chloride and potassium concentrations were monitored until 89 days after commencement of salt treatment. Initial CO2 assimilation rates were relatively low (2.8-4.4 �mol CO2 m-2 s-1) and were stimulated by 72-86% when ambient oxygen partial pressure was reduced from 210 mbar to 21 mbar. After 14 days salt treatment, there was an increase in assimilation rate of approximately 20% associated with a decrease in osmotic potential (π) of 0.6 MPa. Reduction in � occurred without foliar ion accumulation. Assimilation rates gradually declined thereafter, averaging less than 1 �mol CO2m-2 s-1 at day 89. Lower CO2 assimilation rates were not a consequence of increased photorespiration as no change in the extent of oxygen inhibition of CO2 assimilation or CO2 compensation point occurred with salinisation. Stomatal conductance appeared less sensitive to salt treatment than intrinsic photosynthesis, resulting in higher intercellular partial pressures of CO2 in salt stressed leaves (291 cf. 259 pbar for controls at day 89). Water use efficiency was accordingly lower in salt affected leaves. Salinised leaves had consistently more negative osmotic potentials than control leaves; turgor potential was thus maintained at or above control levels for a given bulk-leaf water potential. Since leaf turgor was maintained via osmotic adjustment and uptake of sodium and chloride, lower assimilation rates were attributed to a toxic ion effect.