Few halophytes can grow well in both saline and non-saline habitats (i.e., habitat-
indifferent). These plants offer a good opportunity to assess maternal salinity on drought and
salinity tolerances during germination. Habitat-indifferent halophyte Suaeda vermiculata
(Amaranthaceae) in a desert ecosystem of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was assessed in this PhD
Memory.
Here, we assessed the effects of maternal salinity, drought as simulated with PEG
(Polyethylene glycol), and light and temperature of incubation and their interactions on
germination. In addition to, the effects of maternal salinity, temperature, and light
of seed incubation on seed dormancy and salinity tolerance during the seed germination
stage. Furthermore, determine the maternal salinity on some plant physiological and
biochemical traits on different organs of S. vermiculata from salty and non-salty habitats.
Matured seeds of S. vermiculata in saline and non-saline soils were germinated in six PEG
concentrations (0 to -1.0 MPa) and in different levels of salinity (0 to 500 mM NaCl) with
incubation in different temperatures in both light and dark regimes. Studied germination
attributes were final germination, germination rate index (GRI) and germination recovery of
non-germinated seeds when transferred to distilled water. Furthermore, samples of different organs
were collected from both habitats. Physiological and bio-chemical features (chlorophyll and
carotenoids, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), antioxidant enzymes
(Catalase, CAT; guaiacol peroxidase, GPX; Ascorbate peroxidase, APX) activities) were assessed.
Elemental compositions in soil and plant samples from both habitats were also assessed.
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