Effect of Seawater Irrigation on Germination Seed of Ceratonia siliqua L. and Treatment with seaweed extracts.

Abstract

The Libyan coasts are a diverse environment with many seaweeds which have been underexploited at agricultural development fields. The present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effect of irrigation with seawater at a concentration (0, 10, 20, 30and 40%) on the germination of seeds of Ceratonia siliqua L. (wild and cultivated), and treatment by pre-soaking for 24 h at a concentration 10%, of three species of seaweed extracts (Padina pavonica,  Sargassum vulgare, and  Posidonia oceanica ). The results showed that C.siliqua seeds were able to germinate under the levels of irrigation with seawater, until the concentration of 30% by a germination percentage (18%). Generally, Salinity stresses significantly decreased germination percentage, delayed its Mean germination time, and reduction of radical lengths. The statistical results findings suggest that were highly significant differences in increasing the germination percentage, shortened mean germination time, and increased radical length For the treated seeds with seaweed extract under concentrations of seawater,  and improve seed germination to can be able to tolerate 40% salinity. P.pavonica was observed as more efficient in reducing the adverse effect of seawater salinity. The results showed no significant differences between wild and planted C.siliqua seeds for all studied traits. The study concluded that seaweeds could be used as a promising biostimulant in agricultural development fields.