The Effect of Salt Stress on the Germination Characteristics of Acacia ligulata Seeds

Abstract

Salinity is one of the most severe environmental factors that limit the germination, establishment, growth and development of plants. Seed germination is the most sensitive stage to salinity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of NaCl (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 mM) on the germination percentage G%, germination GS, germination index GI, germination rate index GRI of Acacia ligulata seeds. The experiment was designed in a completely randomized design with five replicates. The results revealed that a significant reduction in the G% was recorded at 150 mM, while a significant decrease in the other indices was recorded at 90 mM. The results also showed that all the investigated properties were severely influenced at 180 mM. Compared to control, the reduction at this level of salinity was about 80 and 86% in both G% and GI, respectively, whereas, it was about 90% in both GS and GRI. Eighty percent of germination at 150 mM NaCl indicates that this species is salt tolerant during the germination stage. This is also a positive indicator of the possibility of success of Acacia ligulata seeds in the afforestation programs in environments where salinity does not exceed this concentration.