Abstract

To maximize the productivity of crops in salty areas, the search for plant species having economic importance and able of reducing the amount of salt is therefore the main selection criterion for a regeneration program. So, the determination of salinity tolerance capacity during the vegetative stage of Faidherbia albida and Albizia lebbeck was studied. The seeds of each species were germinated and transplanted individually into pots which were arranged in four randomized blocks before being irrigated with the Wacquant nutrient solution, enriched with 0, 50, 100 and 200 mM of NaCl. The results showed that architectural traits were negatively influenced by salinity through the inhibition of stem and root length, as well as the appearance of leaves. Chlorophyll and LRWC content decreased with increasing levels of NaCl, unlike total sugars content. However, these levels of NaCl had no significant effect on total protein in either species. Despite this resemblance of behavior towards NaCl at this stage of growth, the lower salt sensitivity index in F. albida made it the most salt resistant. It can therefore be recommended to farmers to extend the return time of salt to the soil.

Key words: Soil salinization, dynamic process, forage plants, sensitivity index.