The effects of calcium on the seed germination of Esparto grass (Lygeum spartum L.) under NaCl Salinity

Gozim, Abdelnour

dc.contributor.author	Gozim, Abdelnour
dc.date.accessioned	2025-07-15T09:42:28Z
dc.date.available	2025-07-15T09:42:28Z
dc.date.issued	2025
dc.identifier.uri	http://dspace.univ-djelfa.dz:8080/xmlui/handle/112/7678
dc.description	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.	en_EN
dc.description.abstract	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.	en_EN
dc.language.iso	en	en_EN
dc.publisher	Université Ziane Achour – Djelfa – Faculté des Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie	en_EN
dc.subject	Lygeum spartum, germination, salinity, NaCl, calcium,	en_EN
dc.title	The effects of calcium on the seed germination of Esparto grass (Lygeum spartum L.) under NaCl Salinity	en_EN
dc.title.alternative	Plant Biotechnology	en_EN
dc.type	Thesis	en_EN