الخلاصة:
Lygeum spartum L.is a plant of commercial relevance used as raw material for
manufacturing paper and plays a crucial ecological role in stabilizing dunes in arid and desert
regions of Algeria, this study investigated the effects of different NaCl concentrations and the
potential alleviating role of exogenous calcium chloride (CaCl2) on the germination and early
seedling growth of L. spartum. Seeds were collected from Ain Maabed, Djelfa, Treated with both
CaCl2 (10, 20 mM) and NaCl (50, 100, 150 mM). Measurements of germination and seedling
growth parameters were made, and a two-way ANOVA was used to analyze the results.
Increased NaCl concentrations inhibited seed germination parameters and decreased seedling,
according to the results. There’s interaction effect between salinity and calcium was found for
the Germination Index, suggesting a nuanced role for calcium in modulating germination index
at different salt concentrations. However, the rest of parameters do not exhibit any significant
interaction effect between calcium and salinity. This study demonstrates how sensitive L.
spartum is to salt stress in its crucial early life stages.
الوصف:
46
CONCLUSION
This research confirms that increasing levels of salinity, induced by sodium chloride,
significantly inhibit the germination and early seedling growth of L. spartum L. Our findings
indicate that exogenous calcium application (CaCl2) generally promotes key aspects of
germination vigor and speed, as evidenced by a reduction in Mean Germination Time and an
increase in Germination Index and Germination Value. Furthermore, calcium significantly
enhanced Mean Root Length, which is crucial for seedling establishment in dry environments.
Consequently a significant interaction effect between salinity and calcium was found for the
Germination Index, suggesting a nuanced role for calcium in modulating germination vigor at
different salt concentrations. However, the rest of parameters do not exhibit the likely significant
interaction effect between calcium and salinity.
This study underscores the inherent challenges faced by Lygeum spartum L. under saline
conditions and highlights the potential of calcium as a beneficial agent for improving its
germination performance. Future research should aim to explore a broader range of calcium
concentrations and different calcium sources to identify optimal ameliorative strategies.
Investigating the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms by which calcium
influences ion homeostasis and antioxidant defense systems in L. spartum during germination
would also provide deeper insights. Furthermore, field trials are necessary to validate these
laboratory findings and assess the long-term effects of calcium application on L. spartum
establishment and growth in natural saline arid environments, this contributing significantly to
desertification control and ecological restoration efforts in Algeria.
