CHAPTER 6 ROLE OF CALCIUM IN ALLEVIATING SALINITY EFFECTS IN COASTAL HALOPLHYTES

Abstract: The purpose of the current investigation was to study the effect of Ca2+ on the seed germination of coastal species like Arthrocnemum indicum, A. macrostachyum, Desmostachya bipinnata, Halopyrum mucronatum and Urochondra setulosa under NaCl salinity. Seed germination was inhibited with the increase in NaCl concentration and species differ in their range of NaCl tolerance. Inclusion of CaCl2 partially or completely alleviated NaCl effects on the germination of all species. In the case of A. macrostachyum calcium application completely alleviated salinity effects at all concentrations of NaCl, while in the case of A. indicum and D. bipinnata calcium completely alleviated NaCl effects except at 800 mM NaCl. While in the case of H. mucronatum and U. setulosa Ca2+ completely alleviated the NaCl effects at low concentration and partially alleviated at higher concentrations. 1