Salt tolerance of selected halophytes at the two initial growth stages for future management options

Abstract

Scarcity of water and the small area of the agricultural land are considered as the crucial environmental issues challenged the Arabian Gulf countries. In this study, experiments were conducted to identify the salt tolerance during the germination and the seedling stages of some native halophytes in the State of Qatar. Seeds of eight native species (Salsola setifera, Halopeplis perfoliata, Caroxylon imbricatum, Suaeda aegyptiaca, Acacia tortilis, Limonium axillare, Tetraena qatarensis and Aeluropus lagopoides) were investigated. Except for Tetraena qatarensis, Acacia tortilis and Suaeda aegyptiaca, all achieved ≥ 30% of seed germination at a concentration of 200 mM NaCl. Around 30% of Salsola setifera seeds were able to germinate in a salt concentration of 400 mM. Germination recovery of seeds that have been treated with 800 mM NaCl for 3 weeks was the greatest for Halopeplis perfoliata (94%) and the lowest for Aeluropus lagopoides (22%). Five halophytes were investigated for seedling growth under saline irrigation ranged from 0 to 600 mM NaCl. No significant differences obtained in growth biomass of seedlings of each of Caroxylon imbricatum, Suaeda aegyptiaca and Tetraena qatarensis between saline and non-saline treatments.

Spatial Distribution of Desert Plant Species According to Soil Salinity

“…Hayne subsp. Tortilis for example, was present in a highly saline location but is not considered a halophyte according to others' research studies [9,10]. Conversely, the species belonging to the genus Salsola are considered halophytes [11], but none of Salsola longifolia and S. gymnomaschala were encountered in a saline area.…”

Physiological and biochemical responses of Limonium tetragonum to NaCl concentrations in hydroponic solution

“…In addition, halophytes reduce the cytoplasmic NaCl concentration by discharging them out of the leaf ( Yuan et al., 2016 ). According to the method of classifying halophytes by Breckle (1986) , L. tetragonum is classified as a recretohalophyte with a salt bladder and salt glands on the underside of leaves ( Alhaddad et al., 2021 ). The dicotyledonous halophytes have no significant change in biomass production even at 200 mM of NaCl and have the genetic potential to resist various environmental stresses ( O’Leary et al., 1985 ).…”

Morphogenetic Capabilities of Ocimum Gratissimum L. Explants Cultured in Vitro under Saline Stress Conditions

“…These results are in agreement with those of other authors [21] who showed that glycophytes are not able to accumulate high levels of NaCl in the leaves without damage, unlike halophytes which can maintain a balance osmotic with external salt solutions. At concentrations of 600 mM, for example, seeds of some halophytes germinate and plants grow without significant problems [22] . However, it should be noted that in glycophytes as well as in halophytes, all metabolic processes are affected by salt [23] .…”