GERMINATION RESPONSES OF Lygeum spartum L. CARYOPSES IN WESTERN ALGERIA REGARDING THE DIFFERENT PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PRETREATMENTS AND SALINITY

This study is relates on Albardine (Lygeum spartum L.) wich is a perennial poaceae of the Mediterranean region, threatened with disappearance. For the sake of conservation of this species, we proceeded to the laboratory trials germ behavior of caryopses contained in the infrutescences of two provenances of the species studied (steppe and coastal) with respect to various physical and chemical pretreatments and salinity. The inflorescences of the two provenances have shown different from each other, in particular by the number of caryopses in each of them and by their germination response with regard to the different pretreatments employees. The inflorescences of Albardine the steppe region (Ain-Sekhona station) are mostly represented by three caryopses (45.63%), those in the coastal region (Sidi Djelloul station) by two caryopses (64.66%). The pre-soaking in distilled water for 24 hours and chemical scarification by pure sulfuric acid (97%) for 4 hours, allowed lifting the inhibition integumentary affecting caryopses, by leading to better germination at an optimal temperature of 20°C compared to the witness. Germination tests under different salt sea water concentrations showed that caryopses of steppe region have a tolerance threshold (2% equivalent to 31.3 ms/cm) higher than in caryopses of the coastal region (1% equivalent to 15.6 ms/cm). These results serve certainly for ex-situ conservation of Albardine for the production of plants which can be used to strengthen threatened populations under natural conditions.

Keywords : Lygeum spartum L.; caryopses; germination; physico-chemical pretreatment; salinity; conservation.

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