In Libya salinization of land and ground water is a key problem. A. saligna is one species that offers potential for growth under these conditions. Experiments were undertaken to accelerate the germination of Acacia seeds, and various pre-treatment methods were assayed. Boiling water treatment, mechanical scarification and acid improved germination and germination rate. Sowing A. saligna seeds at 30 mm depth gave greatest seedling growth from large and medium seeds whereas 20 mm was more suitable for small seeds. This study aimed to improve the establishment of Acacia saligna irrigated with saline water, plants were grown for seven weeks under greenhouse or field conditions in (Libya) either sand or soil salinized with varying applications of NaCl. Irrigation with NaCl significantly decreased plant survival and growth and concentration of Ca, Na, K, Fe and P ions in plants with 0.5 M or 1.0 M NaCl. The experiments were repeated using a naturally occurring soil amendment called ‘Zander’. Seeds of A. saligna were grown for seven weeks in both greenhouse and field trials as before but with the addition of Zander and NaCl. Zander improved plant survival and growth with salinity and increased the elements in plants (Ca, Na, K, Fe and P). Field experiments were conducted to assess the effects of saline irrigation with 1.0 M NaCl and extra water added to 0% or 10% Zander on survival and growth, consequently, seedling growth significantly decreased with increase in soil salinity. Survival and growth increased with increase in extra water. The additional irrigation water caused an increase in the uptake of Ca++ and increased the Ca++/Na+ and K+/Na+ ratio. Zander did not appear to reduce net uptake of Na+ and its transport to shoot tissues. Mg++, P, K+ and Ca++ content significantly decreased in plants in response to salinity. Possible mechanisms to avoid Na+ toxicity in A. saligna in response to salinity included increasing the supply of Ca++. Extra Ca++ applied into the medium with and without salt increased survival and growth even in the absence of Zander. Calcium increased uptake of Ca++ and increased Ca++/Na+ and K+/Na+ ratio.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:628931 |
| Date | January 2011 |
| Creators | El Mghadmi, Z. Y. |
| Publisher | Coventry University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open/items/5727ee90-f827-485e-93d9-94a9b5456f43/1 |
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