The effect of treatment combinations of decreased soil osmotic water potential (Ips) and increased
sodicity (SAR) on chlorophyll (ChI) characteristics (ChI a and b contents, Chi a/b ratio, and Chi
stability to heat - CSI) of three crop plants (Gossypium barbadense L., Hibiscus sabdarifJa L. and
Sorghum bicolor L.) was studied. Chi characteristics in different plant species responded variably
to both changes in 1jJs and sodicity. Generally, Chi content was not sensitive to sodicity but both
ChI a and b were significantly affected by osmotic stress. Accordingly, the Chi a/b apparent changes
at different SAR levels were due to osmotic rather than sodic effects. CSI showed variable trends in
response to both decreased 1jJs and increased sodicity according to ChI type and plant species.
Decreasing ChI content and increasing CSI, under reduced 1jJs, might indicate the adaptations
of plants toward enduring salinity stress, particularly in reference to the ecological origin of such
crop plants.