Salt and Water Stress Tolerance in Ipomoea purpurea and Ipomoea tricolor, Two Ornamentals with Invasive Potential

Invasive plants pose a significant threat to biodiversity, especially under the current unstable climatic conditions. This study aimed test salt and drought tolerance of two ornamental species genus Ipomoea during germination vegetative growth. Germination tests were performed in presence increasing NaCl concentrations or iso-osmotic PEG concentrations—to mimic osmotic stress caused by drought. Both showed great invasive potential because their high seed percentages rapid control (distilled water) conditions, up 200 mM NaCl. early seedling development more affected PEG. Subsequently, water (complete withholding irrigation) (watering with 100 NaCl) treatments applied young for three weeks, when all harvested, determine several morphological biochemical parameters. sensitive deficit but relatively resistant stress. Their responses similar, based mainly on inhibition Na+ activation K+ transport from roots leaves uptake accumulation Ca2+; however, I. tricolor slightly higher than purpurea. Although has only been locally reported as is generally considered ‘low-risk’ species, our results indicate that it may have an even purpurea, recognised weed, spread into areas moderate salinity, affecting agricultural land natural habitats ecological interest.