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What effect does salt have on plants?
Rohana
It would waste the plant in a few weeks. (02/09/2009)
By shadow
The salt dehydrates the cells inside the plant and the result is death. The concentration of salt is the aspect that impacts on the time it takes to kill the plant. 2 tablespoons per litre kills a small basil seedling one to three days. Here is a pic of one after a few days of the plant under the watering of two tablespoons per litre. (02/28/2009)
By Sam - auusie
How does salt affect plants? And why? A long explanation would be very helpful. Do you know any websites concerning this problem? Thank you for your help!
It kills the plant by sucking the water out of the cells as explained before, but a little salt is involved in nutrient uptake also. That is why fertilizer always contains some amount of sodium and you will see it accumulate on the soil surface of houseplants. So it is a matter of just a little is good, too much is bad. (05/08/2008)
By Ashley
My husband is convinced that salt is good for the soil in our garden he is constantly pouring salt by the bags on the garden.
Editor's Note: That's not a good idea. A little on slugs or something won't hurt but it can take years for salt to be washed out of your soil. If you can, take a shallow shovel and scoop it up and throw it in the garbage. (05/31/2008)
By dorothy
Howdy Ya'll
I'm a studying scientist at a local university. Salt concentrations have many effects on a plant cell. High levels of salt concentration can actually damage the inside of the cell membrane, resulting in the death of plant cells.
A low level of salt concentration, depending on the plant, may actually allow it to gain some growth, for example, the mangrove trees on local beaches. Some plants may just not accept salt because of the way they are 'built up'.
I'm glad I could be of some assistance-good luck on finding more research on this topic!
Old McDonald
H.S.A University. (09/14/2008)
By Old McDonald
Oddly enough, I'm doing a lab write now in my science class that involves finding how salt affects broccoli plant germination. I find that certain levels of salt cause death, but below these levels, it can be somewhat beneficial. You also have to remember that salt alters nutrient intake, and also affects ionic composition in plant cells. Good luck! (11/18/2008)
By Torrak
How does salt effect plants?
Hardiness Zone: 7b
Teresa From Southaven, MS
Teresa,
As I understand it, salt is taken up by the plant cells and begins to absorb water from those cells so expanding and breaking down the plant structure eventually destroying the plant, this is not reversible.
Salt is used to kill weeds and to sterilize, so I imagine it would kill a plant. (11/16/2006)
By betty webb
Table salt or rock salt kills them. Epsom salt is good for some plants. sweetens tomatoes, good for roses. Don't know if it snows where you are, but if you put out salt to keep ice off the walk. It will kill the plants around the walk too. Not too good for cement either. (11/16/2006)
By carla bledsoe
Kills them! (11/16/2006)
By
It Kills the poor little plants! (11/26/2006)
By Yo Mama
The most common reason that salt kills plants is because the cells of plants contain a certain amount of water and other dissolved things. When surrounded by water that contains a larger amount of salt there is a general rule that water will try to move between the inside and the outside of the cell wall to make the amount of dissolved things equal. So a high concentration of salt outside the cell wall will suck the water out of the cell and eventually cause the cell to collapse (which is killing the plant). (09/27/2007)
By person
Salt kills plants by stopping air flow. I did it for a project, trust me. (12/20/2007)
By jamila khan
Question - Why does salt kill plants? --
There could be several reasons, but the most common reason is that the cells of plants contain a certain amount of water and other dissolved things. When surrounded by water that contains a larger amount of salt, there is a general rule that water will try to move between the inside and the outside of the cell wall to make the amount of dissolved things equal. So a high concentration of salt outside the cell wall will "suck" the water out of the cell and eventually cause the cell to collapse. (04/23/2008)
By Someone
