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Effect of Photoperiod, Temperature, and Relative Humidity on Chloride Uptake of Plants Exposed to Salt Spray. M. Simini, Graduate student, Department of Plant Pathology, Cook College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903; I. A. Leone, professor, Department of Plant Pathology, Cook College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903. Phytopathology 72:1163-1166. Accepted for publication 12 January 1982. Copyright 1982 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-72-1163.

Eleven plant species that vary widely in growth rate, habitat adaptation, leaf structure, and morphology were exposed to airborne salt spray dosages commonly found within 600 m of the New Jersey seacoast. After salting, the plants were exposed to various conditions of temperature, relative humidity, and photoperiod. Foliar chloride content of salted and unsalted plants was measured. Most of the species tested absorbed more chloride when exposed to shorter photoperiods, lower temperatures, and higher relative humidities. High relative humidity is believed to alter the physical and chemical properties of both the salt particles and plant tissues. Increased light and temperature may induce structural changes in the cuticle and epicuticular waxes of leaves, thereby decreasing their permeability.