Register      Login
The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Society
Research and review papers in the area of science, engineering and mathematics
RESEARCH ARTICLE

In vivo screening of salinity tolerance in Giant Swamp Taro (Cyrtosperma merkusii)

Shiwangni Rao, Mary Taylor and Anjeela Jokhan

The South Pacific Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences 32(1) 33 - 36
Published: 30 July 2014

Abstract

Giant Swamp Taro (Cyrtosperma merkusii) is a staple food crop in the Pacific, especially in the low lying atoll islands such as Tuvalu and Kiribati. This is owing to its ability to survive under poor soil conditions and harsh environments. However, as a result of the effects of climate change such as sea water inundation and intrusion into the fresh ground water lens, this crop is now under threat. To address this issue an adaption approach was taken whereby, Cyrtosperma merkusii was screened in vivo for salt tolerance. The epistemology followed random selection of two cultivars Ikaraoi and Katutu. These two cultivars were subjected to 0% (0 parts per trillion), 0.5% (5 ppt), 1% (10 ppt), 1.5% (15 ppt) and 2% (20 ppt) of salt in Yates’s advance seedling common potting mix. Both cultivars were able to tolerate salinity levels up-to 5ppt which is significantly more than the salt tolerance in glycophytes of 2.83 ppt. This research provides an insight into the variation of salt tolerance that may exist in C.merkusii gene pool, which can be used to adapt to natural disasters and buffer its impacts.

https://doi.org/10.1071/SP14005

© The University of the South Pacific 2014

PDF (230 KB) Export Citation Cited By (1)

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share via Email

View Dimensions