This study was undertaken to determine the effects of varied salinity regimes on the morphological traits (plant height, number of leaves, number of flowers, fresh and dry weight) and major mineral composition of 13 selected purslane accessions. Most of the morphological traits measured were reduced at varied salinity levels (0.0, 8, 16, 24 and 32 dS m-1), but plant height was found to increase in Ac1 at 16 dS m-1 salinity, and Ac13 was the most affected accession. The highest reductions in the number of leaves and number of flowers were recorded in Ac13 at 32 dS m-1 salinity compared to the control. The highest fresh and dry weight reductions were noted in Ac8 and Ac6, respectively, at 32 dS m-1 salinity, whereas the highest increase in both fresh and dry weight was recorded in Ac9 at 24 dS m-1 salinity compared to the control. In contrast, at lower salinity levels, all of the measured mineral levels were found to increase and later decrease with increasing salinity, but the performance of different accessions was different depending on the salinity level. A dendrogram was also constructed by UPGMA based on the morphological traits and mineral compositions, in which the 13 accessions were grouped into 5 clusters, indicating greater diversity among them. A three-dimensional principal component analysis also confirmed the output of grouping from cluster analysis.

Este estudo foi realizado para determinar aspectos morfológicos, fisiológicos e nutricionais (teor vitamínico) de 45 acessos de beldroegas coletadas em diferentes locais da Península Ocidental da Malásia. Observaram-se diferenças significativas (p<0,05) para todos os caracteres avaliados, considerando-se características morfológicas, fisiológicas e de composição. Para as características morfológicas observaram-se as seguintes variações: altura das plantas (20,06-40,8 cm); número de ramos principais (1,4-4,4); número de nós (8,4-31); distância entre internódio (2,1-3,43 cm); diâmetro do caule (2,12-3,8 mm); número de folhas (97-1.019); área foliar (1,03-2,21 cm²); número de flores (14-826,8); comprimento da raiz (5,09-11,7 cm); peso fresco (40-280 g); e massa seca (2,71-29,16 g). Dentre as características fisiológicas verificaram-se as seguintes variações: teor de clorofila total (26,2-39,52; valor SPAD); fotossíntese líquida (20,8-28,73 mol CO2/m²/s); condutância estomática (0,02-0,28 cm/s); taxa de transpiração (0,46-2,48 mol/m²/s); e déficit de vapor d'água (0,51-2,65 mol H2O/m²/s). As análises de macro e micronutrientes indicaram que todos os acessos apresentam quantidade significativa de nutrientes essenciais. Entre os macronutrientes: N, P, K, Ca e Mg variaram, respectivamente, entre 31,2-100; 2,51-8,2; 78,4-276; 9,1-62,2; e 8,7-32,55 ppm. Enquanto os micronutrientes; Zn, Fe e Mn variaram, respectivamente, entre 0,31-1,09; 1,01-13,09; e 0,06-1,32 ppm. Essa grande variabilidade entre os acessos de beldroegas pode contribuir para o melhoramento genético dessa espécie.

This study was carried out to determine, evaluation and characterization of the morphological, physiological as well as mineral nutrient vitiations among all forty five purslane accessions collected from different locations of West Peninsular, Malaysia. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed for all those traits measured regarding morphological, physiological and mineral composition. Morphological traits viz. plant height varied between 20.06-40.8 cm; number of main branch, 1.4-4.4; number of nodes, 8.4-31; internode distance, 2.1-3.43 cm; stem diameter, 2.12-3.8 mm; number of leaves, 97-1019; leaf area, 1.03-2.21 cm², number of flowers, 14-826.8; root length, 5.09-11.7 cm; fresh weight, 40-280 g; and dry weight varied between 2.71-29.16 g. Among physiological traits, total chlorophyll content varied between 26.2-39.52 (SPAD value), net photosynthesis, 20.8-28.73 µmol CO2/m²/sec; stomatal conductance, 0.02-0.28 cm/sec; transpiration rate, 0.46-2.48 mol/m²/sec; and water vapor deficit varied between 0.51-2.65 mol H2O/m²/sec. Analysis of mineral macro and micro nutrient compositions showed that all accessions contained appreciable amount of essential nutrients. Among the macro nutrient elements; N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents ranged respectively between 31.2-100, 2.51-8.2, 78.4-276, 9.1-62.2 and 8.7-32.55 ppm. Whereas micro nutrient elements; Zn, Fe and Mn ranged respectively between 0.31-1.09; 1.01-13.09 and 0.06-1.32 ppm. This great variability among the purslane accessions may contribute enhancing the genetic improvement of the species for desired traits.