الفهرس 
Effects of inundation on transpiration, stomata! conductance and water potential of Balanites aegyptiaca in Wadi Allaqi, South-Eastern Desert, Egypt.Only 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The present investigation documents the physiological and morphological responses on the
interacting responses of an indigenous desert tree ( Balanites aegyptiaca) ,(D laboratory
conditions that are similar to an arid environment.
A series of field experiments was conducted to explore the ability of Balanites to tolerate
inundation, in the downstream part of Wadi Allaqi, South Eastern Desert, Egypt. Effects of
inundation on transpiration, stomata! conductance and water potential of Balanites revealed that
Balanites has a certain tendency to overcome the effect of partial inundation. It also can,
tolerate the effect of high temperatures and high photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD)
throughout the whole year. The transpiration rate and water potential showed significant
differences in different
seasons and they indicated different behaviour due to prevailing conditions.
A series of experiments was established under controlled conditions to study the effects of drought
using different watering regimes (6%, 9% and 12%), and salinity stress using watering solutions of
CaCl2 and NaCl at the ratio 2: 1 with different electrical
conductivity (0, 12, 24, 36, 60 and 72 dS m·1) on two Balanites’ populations (Wadi Allaqi and
Kharga) of seedlings. Special attention was paid to examining the response of both, root and
shoot systems, to environmental stresses. The study of _ light response curve (photosynthesis)
using an infrared gas analyser was carried out. The root system development rate indicated
significant differences due to population but not due to watering regimes or salinity treatment.
Stem diameter and total leaf area indicated significant differences due to population and to both
salinity and watering regimes treatment. Photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate and plant watet’
potential exhibited significant differences due to both treatments and they showed different
behaviour attributed to population.
The drought stress studies revealed that the Wadi Allaqi collection of Balanites is more efficient
than the Kharga collection in using the available water as one of the drought tolerance
mechanisms, and more tolerant to salinity, as indicated by photosynthesis and transpiration
measurements.