Improvement in the Adaptation of Lygeum Spartum L. to Salinity In the Presence of Calcium

Abstract

Lygeum spartum L. has been recently introduced in areas where salinity is high in soils. However, there are no studies about the physiological response of these plants to salt excess. The effect of sodium chloride (NaCl) on plant growth and water status was studied. Also, the effect of calcium (Ca) addition to salinity conditions was analyzed because of the coexistence of salinity and calcareous soils. Dry weight (DW), transpiration, and osmotic potential (Ψπ) decreased with elevated NaCl and were restored with Ca²⁺, whereas moderate salinity had no effect. Fresh weight (FW), water potential (Ψω), and root hydraulic conductance (L ₀) decreased with salinity; Ca²⁺ supply had an ameliorative effect at moderate salinity. Sodium (Na⁺) increased in leaf sap at high levels of NaCl and was decreased by Ca²⁺. Lygeum spartum showed a resistance to moderate salinity, but the effect of Ca²⁺ depends on salinity intensity. Thus, the role of Ca²⁺ in the tolerance to salinity was emphasized.

Keywords:

• Calcium
• leaf water relations
• Lygeum spartum L
• root hydraulic conductance
• salinity

Acknowledgments

The Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is gratefully acknowledged for granting a fellowship to N. Bouzid. The authors thank all the members of the Department of Plant Nutrition, CEBAS-CSIC, for technical assistance, and Dr. David Walker for correction of the English in the manuscript.