Prediction of Salinity Tolerance Based on Biological and Chemical Properties of Acacia Seeds

Abstract

Multiple regression equations have been developed to predict the salinity tolerance of Acacia seeds, expressed as the I50 (the concentration of NaCl required to reduce fi nal germination to 50% of the control value in distilled water). Accurate predictions can be made using one or more chemical and biological seed parameters. In this study relationships were drawn among fi nal germination percentage and rate of germination in distilled water, Ca2+ or K+ contents and their ratios to pre- dicted salinity tolerance (I50 ) of Acacia species. Simulation of the effects of changing fi nal germination, calcium and potassium suggest the possibility of practical application of these results to modify the salinity tolerance of seeds. The predicted I50 increased with increase fi nal germina- tion percentage. Similarly, the higher the rate of germina- tion was the higher the predicted salt tolerance of Acacia species. The Ca2+ content of seeds was found to be posi- tively correlated with I50. Species with higher Ca2+ con- tents had a higher I50 . This suggests that that I50 might be increased by increasing the Ca2+ contents of seeds by pre- treatment with calcium salts.