Abstract

Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge ex Boiss. is a suitable species for desert and coastal restoration for its forage production and dune stabilization. Inter-population variation of seed parameters has previously received little attention. Variation in seed germination response to drought and salinity stress was evaluated for three Kuwaiti populations for use in restoration projects. Germination parameters varied significantly among populations. Seeds from Kabd were larger and germinated at a higher percentage than the other two populations, Mutla and Liya, under conditions of saline (62.8%, 40.0%, and 50.7% respectively) and moisture (58.2%, 32.6%, and 45.6%) stress. Increasing salinity and drought simulation progressively inhibited seed germination across all populations. Drought simulation by PEG 6000 inhibited germination from −0.3 MPa, while salinity affected the germination proportion from 400 mM NaCl for all the studied populations. All populations exhibited a high recovery from NaCl and PEG stress, indicating the species is broadly adapted to survival through drought and saline conditions. Our findings indicate that revegetation success with this species will be influenced by the population characteristics of the maternal seed source.

摘要

盐梭菌（起订量）Bunge ex Boiss。是适合沙漠和沿海恢复的物种，因为其草料生产和沙丘稳定。种子参数的种群间变化以前很少受到关注。对三个科威特种群的种子发芽对干旱和盐分胁迫的响应变化进行了评估，以用于恢复项目。种群之间的发芽参数差异很大。在盐水（分别为62.8％，40.0％和50.7％）和水分（58.2％，32.6％和45.6％）的条件下，来自Kabd的种子更大并且发芽率高于其他两个种群Mutla和Liya。强调。盐度提高和干旱模拟逐渐抑制了所有种群的种子发芽。PEG 6000进行的干旱模拟抑制了-0.3 MPa的发芽，而盐度影响所有研究种群的400 mM NaCl发芽率。所有种群均显示出从NaCl和PEG胁迫下的高度恢复，表明该物种广泛适应干旱和盐碱条件下的生存。我们的发现表明，该物种的植被恢复成功将受到母体种子来源的种群特征的影响。