Comparative salinity tolerance of Fimbristylis dichotoma (L.) vahl and Schoenoplectus juncoides (Roxb.) palla,the candidate sedges for rehabilitation of saline wetlands

Two aquatic halophytic sedges,schenoplectus juncoides (roxb.) palla and fimbristylis dichotoma (l.) vahl,were collected from salt-affected habitats and evaluated hydroponically for salt tolerance. three salinity levels (0,100,200 mm nacl) were maintained in half-strength hoagland's nutrient solution during the experiment. although both species showed high degree of salt tolerance,they had varied mechanisms of salt tolerance. fimbristylis dichotoma showed high uptake of ca2+ and accumulation of organic osmotica to combat with high salinity,while s. juncoides relied on high uptake of k+ in addition to organic osmotica. the stem succulence in s. juncoides provided additional advantage to this species to survive under extreme saline regimes. it was concluded that both these species have considerably potential to rehabilitate of saltaffected wetlands.