BACKGROUND: Investigating the responses of Salix matsudana to homogeneous and heterogeneous salt concentrations is crucial for the development and optimal use of saline-alkali lands. This study utilized a split-root experiment, positioning the roots of Salix matsudana in both low-salinity and high-salinity areas. Using a salt-free treatment (0/0) as a control, we applied two homogeneous salt treatments (171/171, 342/342 mmol L RESULTS: The results showed that leaf biomass under heterogeneous salt treatments (0/342 and 171/513 mmol L CONCLUSIONS: Compared to homogeneous salt stress, heterogeneous salt stress significantly alleviated the growth and physiological damage in Salix matsudana. Reducing salt concentrations in localized areas of saline-alkali soils may help mitigate the detrimental effects of salt stress, offering a theoretical basis for adaptive cultivation in saline-alkali regions.