Comparative Effects of NaCl-Induced Salinity on Seed Germination and Seedling Vigor of Three Arid-Zone Tree Species: Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem., Acacia senegal (L.) Willd., and Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.

By : Shagufta Sherani , Rachana Dinesh , Himanshi K. Shekhawat , Bharat Kumar , Asha Swami , Monika Sharma , Seema Sen

Page No: 108-120

Abstract
Soil salinity strongly limits seed germination and early seedling establishment in arid and semi-arid regions, creating major constraints for afforestation and ecological restoration. This study examined the effects of increasing NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 mM) on seed germination and early seedling growth of three native arid-zone tree species: Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem., Acacia senegal (L.) Willd., Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. A filter-paper germination bioassay was conducted under controlled conditions (25 ± 2°C, 12-h photoperiod) using a completely randomised design with three replicates per treatment. Germination Percentage (GP), Mean Radicle Length (MRL), Mean Germination Time (MGT), Germination Index (GI), and Seedling Vigor Index (SVI) were recorded over seven days. Salinity induced a significant, concentration-dependent decline in all parameters across all species. Under control conditions, Z. mauritiana showed the highest GP (76.7 per cent) and SVI (394.9), whereas A. senegal retained the highest GP (23.3 per cent) at 300 mM, indicating superior resilience under extreme stress. T. undulata exhibited a critical tolerance threshold at 150 mM NaCl, beyond which GP and SVI declined sharply. Seedling vigor index was a more sensitive indicator of salt stress than GP alone. These results provide species-specific salinity thresholds to guide native tree selection for afforestation programs in salt-affected arid landscapes of Rajasthan.

Authors
Shagufta Sherani: Research Scholar, Department of Botany, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 
Rachana Dinesh: Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 
Himanshi K. Shekhawat: Research Scholar, Department of Botany, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 
Bharat Kumar: Research Scholar, Department of Botany, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 
Asha Swami: Research Scholar, Department of Botany, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 
Monika Sharma: Research Scientist, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 
Seema Sen: Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPSR.2026.42.01.11