S03 - Session P2 - Standardization of technology for mass planting and establishment of ghaf tree (Prosopis cineraria l)

Authors: Fatima Hassan, Mohammed Alyafei, Shyam Kurup , Nabra Al Busaidi, Zienab Ahmed *

Prosopis cineraria , also known as 'Ghaf', is one of the flowering tree species belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is native to the arid portions of Western Asia, particularly in the UAE. The ghaf tree helps to stabilize dunes and other unstable soils and increases oxygen levels in the environment. However, the tree is endangered due to the climate change and the unmanaged grazing by camels. Therefore, it is worth attempting mass planting and establishment of the ghaf tree. The objective of this study was to address the priming methods to enhance germination, retention of moisture around the seed and to fined tune establishment of the seedlings under hostile weather conditions. The results reveal that among different priming techniques, acid priming using sulphuric acid 50 % for 2 min gave the best result in breaking seed dormancy, while treatment with cytokinin (benzyl adenine) gave the highest germination percentage. Coating the ghaf seed with mixed clay, compost and charcoal supported the seedling growth under arid conditions in sandy soil. This priming method and the seed coating provided a potential technique for mass planting of ghaf tree under desert conditions.