Effect of the halophytic grass Sporobolus robustus Kunth as a potential nurse plant on the germination and establishment of Vachellia seyal and Prosopis juliflora under saline conditions

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Here, we tested the hypothesis that the halophytic grass Sporobolus robustus acts as a nurse plant by enhancing the germination, growth, survival, mycorhization and soil mycorrhizal potential of Vachellia seyal and Prosopis juliflora, and reducing soil salinity. Seeds of each legume were sown 3 cm from a 5-month-old tussock of S. robustus (+) or without S. robustus (−) as a control in a saline soil under greenhouse conditions. Seedlings of each legume were also individually planted 3 cm from a tussock of S. robustus (+) or without S. robustus (−). Sporobolus robustus (+) treatment improved the germination rate for P. juliflora (from 37 to 47%) and for V. seyal (from 23 to 43%). Furthemore, the S. robustus (+) treatment significantly increased P. juliflora and V. seyal seedlings survival (82 and 50%, respectively), mycorrhizal colonization (33 and 35-fold, respectively) and soil mycorrhizal potential (11 and 22-fold, respectively) compared to the control, whereas, no significant effect of S. robustus was observed on the growth parameters of either set of seedlings. Moreover, S. robustus (+) significantly reduced only the salinity of the rhizosphere for V. seyal. Sporobolus robustus could act as a nurse plant to facilitate establishment of both legumes in saline environments.