WATER STATUS OF Lygeum spartum L. SEEDLINGS SUBJECTED TO SALT STRESS

Abstract

Lygeum spartum L. (Poaceae) is a perennial rhizomatous grass, which is widely distributed in the Algerian steppes. This species can tolerate extreme conditions of aridity and high temperatures and it has been used as raw material for manufacturing paper. The seeds of L. spartum were collected from the area of Aïn Maâbed in the province of Djelfa (Algeria). The objective of the present work was to analyse plant water relations of this species in the presence of NaCl at different concentrations in order to evaluate the tolerance of the plant to salt stress. L. spartum seedlings were grown in hydroponic culture with Hoagland nutrient solution. After 13 days of growth, plants were treated with 0, 50 and 100 mM NaCl. The effect of NaCl on water relation parameters were measured after 7 days of the treatments. NaCl exposure of L. spartum produced a decrease in root hydraulic conductivity (L0), with the highest NaCl concentration (100mM NaCl) causing 79% decrease of L0. Transpiration was reduced by about 22% and 48% as compared to control plants, respectively, at 50 and 100mM NaCl. No change was observed in the turgor potential (Ψτ). Based upon these results, the ability to tolerate moderate saltinity renders this species a promising pasture plant for increasing forage production in saltaffected soils.