Leaf area development and stomatal resistance of field-grown sunflower plants (hybrid Mimosa) were studied in response to irrigation with saline water. Salt-treated plants were irrigated with 1olo commercial sea salt water solution. Irrigation started on the 3oth day after sowing when plants had 10 primordia and 2 fully expanded bases.l leaves. Midday leaf water potential decreased during the season in both salt-treated [I1) and control plants (10), with lower values for 11. At anthesis, 65 days after sowing, the difference was 0.12 MPa and LAI of I0 was 3.3I whereas for 11 it was 20% lower. Il plants showed a remarkable morphological adjustment to salt stress by modulating leaf area through leaf expansion rate, whereas the role of leaf senescence was negligible. There was no physiological adjustment in terms of stomata-l resistance. In conclusion, I)eld-grown salt-treated sunflower plants showed avoidance mechanisms which are similar to those observed elsewhere in water stress conditions.