Article

The cosmopolitan halophyte, Suaeda maritima, has been studied with respect to the physicochemical properties (anion and cation concentrations, electric conductivity, osmotic potential) of its celi sap, during one vegetation peri od (July to October 1992), in its native saline habitat near Melenci (Vojvodina, Serbia). The same parameters were measured, in parallel, for the soil as well. S. maritima is characterized by low osmotic potenti al values (-2.59 MPa lo - 3.25 MPa), for which the importance of ion participation follows lhe pattem: Na > CI > SO, > K. Sugar content ranged from 17.3 mmolll lo 106 mmolli. The root/shoot weight ratio gradually increased during the vegetation peri od, reflecting growing water stress due to ion accumulation in the tissues.