Abstract: The clearance rates of adult and juvenile Meretrix meretrix and Cyclina sinensis under acute salinity stress were investigated using static test method. Four salinity levels (21, 15, 10, 5) were set and the algae Platymonas subcordiformis was employed as the indicator diet for the measurement. The results showed that salinity stress had significant effects on the clearance rates of M. meretrix and C. sinensis (P<0.05). Both M. meretrix and C. sinensis could gradually adapt to the changes of salinity, but the duration for adaptation varied. The adult M. meretrix could adapt the salinity change more rapidly than the juvenile.

Key words: salt tolerance, cotton, root morphology, salt stress