Adaptive strategies of Tamarix aphylla in hyper-saline conditions of Cholistan Desert.

Understanding how plants adjust to salinity is essential for the sustainable management of arid ecosystems. This study aims to examine the anatomical, ionic, physiological, and biochemical responses of Tamarix aphylla across various desert habitats. T. aphylla demonstrates adaptive strategies to survive under hyper-saline conditions. Three habitats were chosen: sand dunes, sandy plains, and saline areas. Five locations per habitat were sampled using 10 × 10 m quadrats, and soil and mature plants were collected for analysis. The findings showed that under saline circumstances, vascular bundle area (2170.97 μm²), cortical thickness (610.03 μm), and sclerenchyma thickness (120.39 μm) all attained their maximum values (p < 0.05). Ionic contents showed increased accumulation of Na⁺ (38.93 mg g⁻¹ DW), Cl⁻ (33.15 mg g⁻¹ DW), K⁺ (8.66 mg g⁻¹ DW), and Ca²⁺ (1.74 mg g⁻¹ DW) in plant roots under saline conditions. Physiological traits decreased in saline environments, with lower amounts of carotenoids (0.039 mg g⁻¹ FW), chlorophyll a (0.842 mg g⁻¹ FW), and chlorophyll b (0.312 mg g⁻¹ FW). However, contents of proline (396.12 µg g⁻¹ FW), total soluble sugars (32.62 mg g⁻¹ DW), and total soluble proteins (1946.4 µg g⁻¹ FW), as well as phenolics (9.56 µg g⁻¹ FW) and flavonoids (3.5 mg g⁻¹ DW), showed increased under saline conditions. Strong significant correlations (r > 0.9) between root ionic concentrations and important metabolic characteristics were also shown by Mantel test analysis. Overall results suggested that T. aphylla demonstrates a comprehensive adaptation strategy that includes biochemical defense, ionic homeostasis, and structural strengthening, allowing it to survive and thrive in extremely salty environments.