Previous Work
The study by Mazhar et al. (2022) shows that an increase in pollution due to runoff
introduces artificial salts that enter the water bodies and soil, hindering the growth of crops
and plants. Southern Magnolia, which grows best in well-drained and acidic soil, has a low
tolerance to soil salinity. The increase in soil intrusion in South Western parts of the United
States is hindering the growth of Southern Magnolia since high salt content in the soil leads
to stunted growth and brown discoloration of Southern Magnolia. Research by Jēkabsoneet
al. (2022) shows that high salinity levels impact plant functions, including stomatal changes,
growth regulation, and water uptake. A freshwater organism such as Southern Magnolia is
adversely affected by high salinity levels in the soil, which risks the survival of this plant,
especially since climate change is a growing pandemic that increases risks of salt intrusion
and runoffs that accumulate salt in the soil, hindering the growth of the plant.
Moreover, the alarming salinity levels in freshwater systems are posing risks to flora
and fauna globally, including Southern Magnolia, which requires well-aerated soils and is
acidic. The rising salinity levels slow down the uptake of water and nutrients needed by
Southern Magnolia to grow and spread its leaves. According to Gibson et al. (2021), both salt
in the air and soil salinity cause stunted growth of Southern Magnolia, cause a brown
discoloration and affect other stomatal functions of the plant. Eswar et al. (2021) argues that
saltwater intrusion is a growing problem that risks the survival of Southern Magnolia since it
increases the concentration of chloride ions in solution that, leads to plant toxicity and leaf
damage over time. Studies on saltwater intrusion help in acquiring the knowledge needed to
mitigate the risks of soil salinity on the growth and development of Southern Magnolia
(Reddy). The literature review begs more questions on the mechanism by which salinity
affects the survival and reproduction functions of plants.
, In addition, research by Álvarez & Sánchez‐Blanco (2014) shows that there is a
negative correlation between water uptake and salinity level. The higher the salinity level, the
lower the water uptake. Research shows that direct exposure to plants in high salinity
environments leads to fatigue of cell walls in plants, and this impedes proper growth
development and functioning of stomata (Negrão et al., 2017). With less water uptake due to
soil salinity, there are many tradeoffs, including less photosynthesis, which controls plant
growth and decreases biomass. The expected experimental research design will be based on
the findings of this preview research and hypothesize that Southern Magnolia is highly
sensitive to soil salinity, which leads to stunted growth and brown discoloration of leaves.
The study by Acosta-Motos et al. (2017) shows the effects of salinity stress on the
growth and development of plants. The research argues that soil salinity has negative traits on
plant growth, including water relations, transpiration use efficiency, ionic relations, and
photosynthesis. Previous research supports the experimental design hypothesis that Southern
Magnolias is sensitive to salinity levels since it hinders the total growth and development of
the plant. The unanswered question in this study is how to improve the salinity tolerance of
Southern Magnolia to ensure it keeps growing under adverse conditions such as climate
change and salt intrusion. The experimental design to test the tolerance of Southern Magnolia
to soil salinity will benefit from the previous research, which covers in length the impacts of
salinity stress on the growth development of plants. Moreover, the rising soil intrusion in
Florida and neighboring states where Southern magnolias grow is another unanswered
question that needs more investigation to secure the plant and maintain its health benefits and
its use in the furniture industry.
What remains unknown that is being covered in the research design is how soil
salinity affects the growth and development of Southern magnolia. The study seeks to tests
the plant sensitivity and tolerance to salinity levels in order to device new ways for farmer to
The study by Mazhar et al. (2022) shows that an increase in pollution due to runoff
introduces artificial salts that enter the water bodies and soil, hindering the growth of crops
and plants. Southern Magnolia, which grows best in well-drained and acidic soil, has a low
tolerance to soil salinity. The increase in soil intrusion in South Western parts of the United
States is hindering the growth of Southern Magnolia since high salt content in the soil leads
to stunted growth and brown discoloration of Southern Magnolia. Research by Jēkabsoneet
al. (2022) shows that high salinity levels impact plant functions, including stomatal changes,
growth regulation, and water uptake. A freshwater organism such as Southern Magnolia is
adversely affected by high salinity levels in the soil, which risks the survival of this plant,
especially since climate change is a growing pandemic that increases risks of salt intrusion
and runoffs that accumulate salt in the soil, hindering the growth of the plant.
Moreover, the alarming salinity levels in freshwater systems are posing risks to flora
and fauna globally, including Southern Magnolia, which requires well-aerated soils and is
acidic. The rising salinity levels slow down the uptake of water and nutrients needed by
Southern Magnolia to grow and spread its leaves. According to Gibson et al. (2021), both salt
in the air and soil salinity cause stunted growth of Southern Magnolia, cause a brown
discoloration and affect other stomatal functions of the plant. Eswar et al. (2021) argues that
saltwater intrusion is a growing problem that risks the survival of Southern Magnolia since it
increases the concentration of chloride ions in solution that, leads to plant toxicity and leaf
damage over time. Studies on saltwater intrusion help in acquiring the knowledge needed to
mitigate the risks of soil salinity on the growth and development of Southern Magnolia
(Reddy). The literature review begs more questions on the mechanism by which salinity
affects the survival and reproduction functions of plants.
, In addition, research by Álvarez & Sánchez‐Blanco (2014) shows that there is a
negative correlation between water uptake and salinity level. The higher the salinity level, the
lower the water uptake. Research shows that direct exposure to plants in high salinity
environments leads to fatigue of cell walls in plants, and this impedes proper growth
development and functioning of stomata (Negrão et al., 2017). With less water uptake due to
soil salinity, there are many tradeoffs, including less photosynthesis, which controls plant
growth and decreases biomass. The expected experimental research design will be based on
the findings of this preview research and hypothesize that Southern Magnolia is highly
sensitive to soil salinity, which leads to stunted growth and brown discoloration of leaves.
The study by Acosta-Motos et al. (2017) shows the effects of salinity stress on the
growth and development of plants. The research argues that soil salinity has negative traits on
plant growth, including water relations, transpiration use efficiency, ionic relations, and
photosynthesis. Previous research supports the experimental design hypothesis that Southern
Magnolias is sensitive to salinity levels since it hinders the total growth and development of
the plant. The unanswered question in this study is how to improve the salinity tolerance of
Southern Magnolia to ensure it keeps growing under adverse conditions such as climate
change and salt intrusion. The experimental design to test the tolerance of Southern Magnolia
to soil salinity will benefit from the previous research, which covers in length the impacts of
salinity stress on the growth development of plants. Moreover, the rising soil intrusion in
Florida and neighboring states where Southern magnolias grow is another unanswered
question that needs more investigation to secure the plant and maintain its health benefits and
its use in the furniture industry.
What remains unknown that is being covered in the research design is how soil
salinity affects the growth and development of Southern magnolia. The study seeks to tests
the plant sensitivity and tolerance to salinity levels in order to device new ways for farmer to
