Genetic studies of Salt Tolerance in Camel Thorn (Alhagi maurorum)

The genetic behavior of salt tolerance of Alhagi maurorum "Camel thorn" grown in three different zones in Siwa Oasis has been studied using ecological parameters and morphological, molecular and biochemical markers. The study concluded that camel thorn represents the most homeostatic and tolerant plant under different environmental conditions varying from sand sheets to wet sabkha (Saline soil) and for this it has some morphological strategies to reduce the surface area and water loss. By finding such specific gene (P5CS), Camel thorn can be used as a donor of this gene for transferring it to any other salinity sensitive plants. At the biochemical levels plants grown in saline soil showed increase in all biochemical markers. This may be due to the rise in gene expression under saline conditions.

Autorentext

Amera Zaitoun is an assistant lecturer at Agricultural Botany Department in Faculty of Agriculture Saba-Basha, Alexandria University. Her specialization is Genetics. She is teaching practical courses for agricultural biotechnology students.

Klappentext

The genetic behavior of salt tolerance of Alhagi maurorum "Camel thorn" grown in three different zones in Siwa Oasis has been studied using ecological parameters and morphological, molecular and biochemical markers. The study concluded that camel thorn represents the most homeostatic and tolerant plant under different environmental conditions varying from sand sheets to wet sabkha (Saline soil) and for this it has some morphological strategies to reduce the surface area and water loss. By finding such specific gene (P5CS), Camel thorn can be used as a donor of this gene for transferring it to any other salinity sensitive plants. At the biochemical levels plants grown in saline soil showed increase in all biochemical markers. This may be due to the rise in gene expression under saline conditions.