Effect of salinity on the growth and development of ornamental evergreens

Salt stress is the main problem facing evergreen plants in cities. To a large extent, these plants have stunted growth, lose their ornamental qualities and finally die. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of a selected three ornamental evergreen plants: Pachysandra terminalis, Buxus sempervirens and Hedera helix, to the effects of three different concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl) – 100, 200 and 300 mM. As a result of a number of experiments, it was found that increased NaCl concentrations resulted in inhibition of plant growth – even more than 90% shorter growth, as in the case of ivy. In addition, the analyses made it possible to conclude that NaCl influences biochemical changes in plant tissues, in particular chlorophyll, soluble proteins or stress parameters such as MDA or free proline. The results obtained allow the validity of the use of selected species in urban greenery in temperate climates to be established.