Variation in organic solutes and inorganic ions
Growth stage was significant (P =0.097) in the relationship between DGW and soluble sugars (F =7.64, P <0.01). There were no correlation between soluble sugar concentrations and increasing DGW during both EGS and LGS. Concentrations of soluble sugars in the assimilation branches of H. ammodendron were lower at the shallowest DGW site compared to the deepest DGW site during both growth stages. The concentrations of soluble sugars in the assimilation branches within the shallowest site were also significantly different between the EGS and LGS (Table 1). Growth stage significantly affected DGW and starch (F =13.65, P <0.001). There were no correlations between starch concentration and increasing DGW during either EGS or LGS. Starch concentrations were significantly different among sites having contrasting DGW levels. Starch concentrations were high at the site with the shallowest DGW compared to the site with the deepest DGW (Table 1). Growth stage was significant in the relationship between DGW and proline (F =13.52, P <0.001). There were no correlation between proline and increasing DGW during either EGS or LGS. Proline during the whole growth season ranged between 10.44 ± 1.34 and 1.70 ± 0.08 (Table 1). Season had significant influence on the relationship between DGW and Na+ concentration (F =37.40, P <0.001). Na+concentration was higher during LGS than EGS (Table 1). There were no trends between Na+ and DGW during EGS or LGS.