Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Salt Tolerances of Some Multipurpose Tree Species as Determined by Seed Germination

M.M. Rashid
D.C. Office, Khagrochariy, Bangladesh

A.K.F. Hogue
Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh

M. S. Iftekhar
Program Development Office for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (PDO-ICZM), House No. 4/A, Road 22, Saimon Centre, 5th Floor, Gulshan-1, Dhaka- 1212, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study of salt tolerance was carried out on seeds of six multipurpose tree species: Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex. Benth, Albizzia lebbek (L.) Benth, Albizzia saman (Jacq.) F. Muell., Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit and Swietenia macrophylla (R. Vig.) Du Puy and Labat using fresh water and salt (NaCl) solutions of 7.5, 15 and 22.5 mmhos cm^-¹. Effect of salt on germinative energy, germination period and the reduction of germination with increasing levels of salt have been examined. It was found that germination period and germinative energy are reduced with increasing salinity and the germination trends change. Based on the observation, salt tolerance of the species has been determined and Al. lebbek has shown the best capacity to germinate at different salinity condition.

Keywords: Multi purpose tree species, Salinity, germinative energy, Germination trend

Location: Khulna University Campus of Khulna in Bangladesh.

Start Date: 00-11-2000

End Date: 00-02-2001

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Akash moni, Rain tree, Sisso, Ipil-ipil, Mehogani

Objectives:

To determine salt tolerance of these tree species the effect of different concentration of salt on germination

Methodology:

Selection of species: The species Acacia auriculifonnis A. Cunn. ex. Benth, Albizzia lebbek (L.) Benth, Albizzia saman (Jacq.) F. Muell., Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit and Swietenia macrophylla (R. Vig.) Du Puy and Labat have been chosen for study due to their multipurpose value, wide use in plantations and proven salt tolerance at different growth stages in various environment.

To determine salt tolerance of these species the effect of different concentration of salt on germination have been tested. Presence of salt during the germination period make the seeds susceptible to altered germination capacity and if they can tolerate salinity at the germination stage it is possible that they will be able to survive later on.

Plant material: The study was conducted at Khulna University Campus of Khulna District (22°12"-23°59 North and 89°14-89°45' East) of Bangladesh. The experiment was conducted during the period of November, 2000-February, 2001 when the monthly average temperature was 23.9°C, rainfall 14 mm and relative humidity 81% (Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Fresh seeds of Ac. auriculifonnis, Al. lebbek, D. sissoo, L. leucocephala, S. macrophylla and seeds of Al. saman stored for one year were used in this study. Seeds were sorted for sizes and large healthy seeds were selected for the study. NaCl solutions of 7.5, 15 and 22.5 mmhos cm^-1 were prepared following the USDA manual and checked using a salinity refractometer.

Germination studies: The experiment was conducted in three replications. In each replication sixty sets of petriplates (9 cm) and twelve sets of 20 cm pots (only for S. macrophylla) were filled with sterilized coarse sand, used as substrate for rapid water conduction and subsequent avoidance of salt accumulation on the surface. In each petridish or pots 25 randomly selected air dried seeds were placed with little pressure to give better contact with the substrate. Prepared saline solutions were poured into petriplates and pots. The petriplates and pots were always kept open. The level of solution in. the containers was permanently marked and level was maintain. ed by adding fresh water twice daily (morning and evening). g). Linear regression analysis has been done on the germination trends of the species at different salinity level. Germinative energy (GE), according to Melana et al. was calculated by the following formula:

%GE=(Number of germinated seeds/Total number of seeds in the sample)X100

Source of Information: Journal of Biological Sciences 4 (3): 288-292, 2004 ISSN 1727-3048

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.scialert.net/qredirect.php?doi=jbs.2004.288.292&linkid=pdf

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Concentration of NaCl shows a marked effect on the germination. With increasing level of salinity, germination initiation of all the species is delayed and cessation is facilitated. But the rate varies with species. Soil salinity affect germination either by increasing the osmotic pressure of the soil solution to a plant that will retard or prevent the intake of water or by causing toxicity to the embryo. This effect may slow down or completely inhibit germination depending on the level of salt in the medium. On the other hand germination energy is reduced with increasing salinity. At different salinity level species shows different performances. Among the studied six species Al. lebbek shows highest germinative energy at all salinity levels. The next best performances were showed by Al. saman (at 22.5 and 15 mmhos cm^-1) and Al. lebbek (at 7.5 mmhos cm^-1). The results should be considered with caution, as in the field condition the results might be different. So long term study on the effect of salinity on the germination in field condition is recommended. The result should be considered with caution, as in the field condition the results might be different. So long term study on the effect of salinity on the germination in field condition is recommended.

Knowledge Management: Journal