In order to determine the mechanism of saline stress, forage plants were irrigated with sea water. Saline stress was investigated on photosynthesis, root respiration, evapotranspiration and visual symptoms. All crops showed increased relative evapotranspiration and relative photosynthesis under low temperature (11-16$^{circ}C$) rather than high temperature (22-24$^{circ}C$). The correlation coefficients calculated for each crop between relative evapotranspiration and root respiration were 0.996$^$**/ for orchard grass, 0.828$^$*/ for alfalfa and 0.963$^$**/ for white clover. No significant correlation coefficient between relative evapotranspiration and root repiration was found for the tall fescue. The effects of OED spray on the evapotranspiration and root respiration of crops in the sea watered pots were low compared with those in the fresh watered pots. When OED was sprayed and zeolite was used, the evapotranspiration and root respiration were low compared with check pots and sand pots. The root damage due to sea water treatment was characterized by brown colored root cortex in orchard grass and tall fescue, and water penetration of root cortex in alfalfa and white clover.