Abstract: Urochondra setulosa (Trin.) C.E. Hubbard is a coastal halophytic grass thriving on the coastal dunes along the Pakistani seashore. This grass could be useful in coastal sand dune stabilization using seawater irrigation. The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that Ca²⁺ (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 50.0 mmol/L) alleviates the adverse effects of KCl, MgSO₄, NaCl and Na₂SO₄ at 0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 mmol/L on the germination of Urochondra setulosa. Seed germination was inhibited with increase in salt concentration with few seeds germinated at and above 400 mmol/L concentration. No seed germinated in any of the KCl treatments. Inclusion of CaCl₂ substantially alleviated the inhibitory effects of all salts. Germination was higher under photoperiod in comparison to those seeds germinated under complete darkness. Among the CaCl₂ concentrations used, 10 mmol/L was most effective in alleviating salinity effects and allowing few seeds to germinate at 1000 mmol/L KCl, MgSO₄, NaCl and Na₂SO₄ solution.

Key words: Calcium, Germination, KCl, MgSO₄, NaCl, Na₂SO₄, Urochondra setulosa

Please provide your name, email address and a comment

Your Name: Affili: E-Mail Address:

Comment (Please comment in English):


Verification Code(click to change a pic):