The growth response of Galilea mucronata (L.) Parl. to sea water immersion

Unusual storms along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast may cause flooding, erosion and therefore destruction of plant communities of psammophytes which dominate sand dunes. In such cases Galilea mucronata (L.) Parl. occupies territories from dune pioneers and becomes a major dune stabilizer. This study aims to establish the viability of this species and possible negative consequences during simulated flooding experiments and thereby to investigate its capacity as dune stabilizer. Conducted experiments established that G. mucronata was very tolerant to immersion impact and salt stress. Whole plants stay viable longer than the flood with a maximum duration along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, and rhizomes were able to regenerate after 30 days in seawater. Statistical analysis of experimental data demonstrates that immersion in sea water increases rhizomes viability, biomass and allocation to root biomass, whereas other factors, such as duration of immersion and temperatures of sea water have no significant effect. G. mucronata was less tolerant to water immersion than other psammophytes, but demonstrated a high potential to be a key species for dune stabilization and could contribute to the protection of coastal sands during storms.