Jojoba responses to salinity

This study was conducted to clarify the effect of irrigation with different levels of sea water on the germination, growth and metabolites of Jojoba at two periods (four and six weeks) of growth. The results were summarized as following: The germination of jojoba seeds was affected negatively by seawater treatments, whereas the concentration of 25% stimulated this germination. Leaf area was recorded the smaller area at concentration of 100% and consequently the water content and fresh and dry weight showed a gradual decrease as compared to the control. The pigments content reduced at all levels of treatments as compared to the control. Total soluble salts, relative leakage ratio and electrical conductivity were increased. Soluble, non-soluble and total carbohydrates described a clear evidence of increase accumulation of carbohydrates as compared to the control. Also, proline contents increased in shoots and roots. The results showed decreased of elements content gradually with increasing salinity as compared to the control. Also, the peroxidase activity decreased in all the treatment with increase salinity. Protein patterns of leaves were monitored by PAGE technique.

Autorentext

Sameera O. Bafeel is a Professor of plant physiology at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia. She received her Ph.D. in Plant Physiology at Agriculture and Plant Science Department, Mississippi State University (MSU, USA) 2005. Her research interests are Environmental Stress of plant, especially the response of plant to salinity and drought.