Abstract: This experiment was conducted to explore the effects of salt stress on stomatal movements and differentiation of amaranth leaves. Responses of stomata to different concentration of NaCl stress (0,50,150,300 and 500 mmol · L^-1) , stomatal movements and differentiation of different phyllotaxy
leaves after long time treated with 300 mmol · L^-1 NaCl were investigated using the Amaranthus tricolor L. plant as materials. The results showed that the stomata of amaranth leaves closed rapidly after treated by salt. Stomatal aperature falled to the lowest after three-hour salt stress, afterwards, raised a litter. After 24 hour salt treating, most stomatas were closure except 50 mmol · L^-1 NaCl treatment. Long time salt stress increased slightly stomatal density of the lower leaves, and reduced remarkably stomatal density of the upper fresh leaves. Long time salt stress also reduced stomatal aperature. Salt stress showed a more notable effect on stomata in the newer differentiation leaf.

Key words: Amaranthus tricolor L., salt stress, stomatal movements, stomatal density