Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 4(10): 1276-1284, 2008 © 2008, INSInet Publication

Assessment of Selected Species along Al-Alamein-Alexandria International Desert Road, Egypt

A.A. Morsy, A.M. Youssef, H.A.M. Mosallam and A.M. Hashem

Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams Univ., Cairo, Egypt

Abstract: The present study aim at identifying the ecophysiological behavior of ten xerophytic species in relation to different habitat and stress conditions during winter and summer along Al-Alamein-Alexandria international desert road. Physical and chemical changes in soil along the different examined sites were reflected in changing plant community types. The selected plant species comprise: Haloxylon salicornicum, Anabasis articulata, Zygophyllum decumbens, Agathophora alopecroids, Cornulaca monocantha, Artemisia monosperma, Echinops spinosus, Thymelia hirsuta, Deverra triradiata and Noaea mucronata. Mechanical analysis revealed that soil associated with the studied plants is consisted of different fractions; coarse and fine sand being the dominant fractions for all samples. The contents of succulence, photosynthetic pigments, carbohydrates, nitrogenous compounds, proline and minerals were analyzed and the results showed that, although the studied species belonging to one ecological group; xerophytes, there were wide difference in their metabolism, indicating the wide range of adjustment mechanism behaved by such plants under comparable habitat conditions. In contrast to organic solutes, inorganic ions (in some of the selected species) formed the largest component contributing to osmotic adjustment.

Key words: Succulents, Osmotic Adjustment, Al-alamein,, Plant Communities

INTRODUCTION to tolerate stress is related to leaf age. Drought in sub- tropical conditions is aggravated by the higher Differences in water relation characteristics temperature and results into a reduction in stomatal reflected the differences between the species and are conductance associated with changed in water content, considered as an indicator of drought resistance or xylem water potential and water potential. William and tolerance in arid regions [13,37]. Osmotic adjustment is a Sharon (1981) observed that under water stress, mechanism that significantly contributes towards drought chlorophyll formation was markedly depressed and there resistance [11]. In order to keep osmotic balance, specific is no linear relationship between the amount of water and types of organic molecules (such as soluble sugars, chlorophyll content. nitrogenous compounds, proline, polyols and betains ) are Solutes known to accumulate with water stress accumulated in the cytoplasm. These compounds are and to contribute to osmotic adjustment of non- termed compatible solutes and have a larger hydration halophytes include inorganic cations, organic acids, shell than denaturing molecules [36]. carbohydrates and free amino acids [34,41]. Proline is the Desert plants generally follow two main strategies most common amino acids accumulating with water i.e., they tolerate the drought through phonologic and stress and may increase 100 fold in concentration physiological adjustments referred to as tolerance or over the pre-drought levels [7]. Proline may be utilized avoidance mechanisms contribute to the ability of a plant for chlorophyll synthesis and may serve as reserve to survive drought but it also depends on the frequency substance for the synthesis of chlorophyll upon relief and severity of the drought periods [47,22]. Plants under of the stress suggesting that proline has some role in such conditions regulate their water status using several drought protection and salt tolerance [22]. While many tactics viz., osmotic adjustment, stomatal aperture, turgor researches have done much more work for plants' maintenance, root distribution and leaf canopy properties. osmotic adjustment in the past 30 years, osmotic Leaves developed under drought conditions generally adjustment is an important function for drought exhibit small cell size, thick cell walls, small vacuoles resistances [41]. Free proline and soluble sugar and higher concentration of osmotica. The water relation accumulation in the plant leaf under stress conditions parameters, therefore, do not differ significantly between are of utmost importance for plant adaptation during young and old leaves. However in other species the ability stress.

Corresponding Author: A.A. Morsy, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams Univ., Cairo, Egypt 1276 J. Appl. Sci. Res., 4(10): 1276-1284, 2008

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The work was carried out during winter and summer seasons, of three successive years 2005-2007.

Climate: The climatic data of the area under study was collected from three meteorological stations El-Dabbaa, Wadi El-Natron and Gianaclis. Maximum and minimum mean values of temperature (°C), annual precipitation (mm) and the relative humidity (%) were determined for the selected sites.

Study Area: The area extending along the international Alex-Al-Alamein road is located between latitude 30°29'74'' to 30°43'65'' North and 30°08'71'' to 29°01'14'' East. It extends about 133 km from Marina-Al Alamein (on the Mediterranean coastal region) in the North to Wadi El- Natron in the south (Fig. 1). Except for the narrow Mediterranean coastal belt which is the wettest region of Egypt, the whole western desert (including the studied area) is one of the extremely arid parts of the world.

Geomorphology of the Studied Area: The studied area Fig. 1: Map showing the Cairo – Alexandria Desert Road is located in the Libyan portion of the Sahara which is (modified after Zahran and Willis 1992) called now the western desert of Egypt as it occurs west of the river Nile. The aridity of the area is resulted from Zygophyllum decumbens Del.: Shrublet with prostrate or its distance position from seas, coupled with the absence decumbent branches. Leaves of one pair of broadly of high altitudes which may attracts orographic rains obovate, flattened, fleshy leaflet. Flowers small, capsule (Except the northern part of the studied area) Omayed pear-shaped, deeply 5-parted, apex entire. Agathophora biosphere. The physiographic similarity of the studied alopecroids (Del.) Bge Shrub with continuous stem. area leads to the distinction of few types of habitats. Leaves fleshy. Spiny-tipped. Flowers in globose clusters. These habitats are more or less arranged in the same Fruit-perianth with 5 wings. Branches white, glabrous. sequence from the northern Mediterranean coast to the Varying from globose to prismatic-cylindrical, at tip south as following: 1) Slightly littoral salt marshes which obtuse with a needle-like, easily deciduous, small spine, comprise the areas of land near the sea and are subjected axils wooly. to some maritime influences. The substratum of this ecosystem is saline and favors the growth of salt tolerant Cornulaca monacantha Del.: Blue-green, intricate shrub. plants (Halophytes); 2) Depression; 3) Sand flat; 4) Road Leaves short, recurved, tapering from a clasping base into sides and 5) Road dividers. a rigid spine, axils woolly. 1 or 2 of perianth-segments in fruit with along stout spine. Plant Materials: The plant materials used in the present investigation were obtained from the following selected species and collected from their natural habitats. Artemisia monosperma Del.: Glaucous glabrous low shrub, 0.4-1.2m;stems numerous branched, erect or Haloxylon salicornicum (Moq.) Bunge: Shrub 25-60cm; ascending suculate; leaves0.6-2.5x0.2-1.8, rather fleshy, stem richly branched, the old branches with yellowish- variable. white cracking bark; leaves scales- like shortly triangular, connate into a cup. Echinops spinosus L.: Richly branched. Leaf-lobes narrow, linear, revolute-margined, terminated by rigid Anabasis articulate (Forssk): Shrub 30-80cm; stem with spines. Flowers pale blue or white in rather large heads. spit bark; branches opposite, brittle; nodes pale green, Desert thistles with out latex. Flowers surrounded by leaves reduced to a 2-lobed cupules, with obtuse- special involucres and together forming a large, mucronatetips. compound, globose head.

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Thymelia hirsuta (L.) Endl.: Dioecious or monoecious calculated as mg g-1 fresh weight of plant material. Total evergreen shrub, 0.5-1.8m; stem rigid, fibrous, much carbohydrate: Total carbohydrate content was estimated branched, the young branches white woolly; leaves 2-5x as the method described by Chaplin and kennedy [15] and 1-2mm, imbricate, sessile, leathery ovate, triangular; expressed as mg 100g-¹ dry weight. Soluble sugars were flowers 3-4mm diam., sessile. determined colourimetrically by the anthrone method as described by Spiro, 1966 and expressed in g 100 g-¹ dry Deverra triradiata (Desf.): strongly aromatic glabrous wt. Determination of proline: Free proline was determined according to the method described by Bates et al., (1973) shrub, 30-80cm; stems dichotomously branched; leaves and expressed as ìmole gr-1.d.wt. Determination of caduceus; flowers hardly opening. soluble nitrogen. The soluble nitrogen contents of the plant samples was determined according to Hassanein[21]. Noaea mucronata (Forssk): Shrub 20-80cm; stem sprawling, branched, the old branches with grayish RESULTS AND DISCUSSION fissured bark, young branches glabrous; leaves narrowly linear. Climate: Climate of the region under investigation belongs to the warm coastal desert climate. According to Soil analysis: Soil samples were collected from each the meteorological data of the three stations: El-Dabbaa, associated plants at a depth of 0-25 cm. Physical and Wadi El-Natron and Gianaclis along study area. The chemical parameters of such soil samples were analyzed. following parameters were determined, maximum and Soil particle size (%) was determined by the dry sieving minimum temperature (mean values), the ratio of annual method of Kilmer and Alexander [26]. Soil reaction (pH) precipitation (rain fall) and the relative humidity. The was determined in the soil paste using a Beckman bench climatic gradients over 133 km, from Alex-road in the type pH-meter [35]. Electrical conductivity (EC) of the south to coastal Matrouh road in the north, shows an saturated soil extracts were determined as described by annual mean of minimum and maximum temperature Richards [35] and expressed as dSm-¹. The anions and of 12.5°C and 26.25°C. The warmest summer month cations (Cl2, SO4-2, Ca+2, Mg+2,Na+ and K+) of the soil (August) has mean temperature (26.25°C) and the coldest extracts were analyzed following the method de,scribed winter month (January) has mean temperature above (12.5°C), occasional short rain storms occur mainly in by Richards [35], Jackson [23] and Wilde et al., [42] and their winter. values expressed as meq L-1. Except for the narrow Mediterranean coastal belt which is the wettest region of our study area, the study Plant analysis: Degree of succulence. Degree of area receives about 5.5m.m precipitation/year. In all succulence was calculated according to initial fresh stations most of the rainfall is recorded during the [17] weight/dry weight ratio as followed by Delhan and Tal , January, February and March and the summer months are [5] [6] Ahmed and Girgis and Ahmed and Shalaby . usually rainless. The relative humidity is high along the Ash contents. The dry powdered plant materials were Mediterranean coast, being 70% or even more but it ashed in porcelain crucibles in a muffle furnace at 550°C decrease landward. for 4 hours, cooled to constant weight and the total ash contents (%) were determined [9]. Soil Analysis: Drought and salinity are two environmental constraints that often occur simultaneously Estimation of Mineral Composition: Extraction in arid regions. The ability to overcome multiple and procedure. Wet ashing method.Plant materials were dried simultaneous stresses is one of great importance for the in an oven at 80°C until a constant weight. The dried plant growth and survival in stressful environments [27]. matter was digested according to the method of Chapman The landscape of the desert area stretching along and Pratt [16] with a certain modification. The different Al-Alamein-Alexandria desert road is plain and slightly minerals were estimated in the dry plant material Viz: Cl-, undulating. The present work revealed that the soil Na+, Ca+2, Mg+2, K+.These elements were analyzed in surface is not covered by much gravels in most of the plant shoot system in dry & wet seasons. studied habitats. From Table (1), it is evident that the texture of the different studied soil samples is sandy. Photosynthetic Pigment: Photosynthetic pigment was Coarse and fine sand fractions constitute the major calculated quantitatively by using equation mentioned constituents of the soil. The highest value of coarse sand [29] by Metzner et al., . Chlorophyll (a) = 10.3 E663 – 0.918 fraction was recorded at Km 117 south of Al-Alamein,

E644 = µg/g,Chlorophyll (b) = 19.7 E644 – 3.870 E663 = µg/g while a reverse pattern of clay fraction reduction (3%) and Carotenoids = 4.2 E452.5 – {0.0264 chlorophyll (a) + was attained at the same site. Results presented in 0.4260 chlorophyll (b)} = µg/g. The fractions were then Table (1) clearly show that the texture of the major

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Table 1: Granulometric analysis of the soil profiles associated with the studied species Site (Km) south Coarse Fine Texture Free Bound Total water Species of Al-Alamein Gravels sand sand Silt Clay class water water content Succulent xerophytes Haloxylon salicornicum 119 6.2 31.5 38.2 19.5 4.4 Sandy loam 0.8 0.7 1.5 ------Anabasis articulata 86 0.48 32.4 40.2 23.4 3.4 Loamy sand 1.4 0.4 1.8 ------Zygophyllum decumbens 10 0.1 20.7 61.2 9.8 8 Loamy sand 1 0.8 1.8 ------Agathophora alopecroids 112 2 40 29.6 24.3 4 Sandy loam 1.2 0.2 1.4 Non Succulent xerophytes Cornulaca monacantha 117 2 58.3 18.1 18.9 3 Sandy loam 6.3 1.4 7.8 ------Artemisia monosperma 100 6.4 37.9 41.7 10 4 Loamy sand 1.2 2 3.2 ------Echinops spinosus 95 0.56 31.7 51.7 12.3 3.7 Loamy sand 0.2 0.2 0.4 ------Thymelia hirsuta 95 0.56 31.7 51.7 12.3 3.7 Loamy sand 0.2 0.2 0.4 ------Deverra triradiata 88 2 45.2 24.9 11.7 16 Loamy sand 3.4 0.1 3.5 ------Noaea mucronata 76 1.9 24 54.6 13.1 6.3 Loamy sand 1.4 0.4 1.8

Table 2: Soil reaction(pH), electrical conductivity(EC), soluble anions and soluble(meqL-1) content in soil profiles associated with the studied species Site (Km) south - -- ++ ++ + + Selected perennial species of Al-Alamein pH value EC ds/m Cl SO4 Ca Mg Na K Succulent xerophytes Haloxylon salicornicum 119 7.66 0.38 1.8 0.48 1.04 1.5 1.7 0.18 ------Anabasis articulata 86 7.25 0.1 0.3 1.2 0.89 0.58 0.15 0.13 ------Zygophyllum decumbens 10 7.7 0.13 0.5 0.28 1 0.97 0.15 0.12 ------Agathophora alopecroides 112 7.5 0.26 0.8 3.1 2.9 1.3 0.2 0.18 Non Succulent xerophytes Cornulaca monacantha 117 7.75 0.14 1.5 0.4 1.02 1.3 1.5 0.16 ------Artemisia monosperma 100 8.1 0.14 0.6 0.79 0.89 0.58 0.35 0.17 ------Echinops spinosus 95 8.3 0.17 0.8 0.77 1.33 0.81 0.27 0.16 ------Thymelia hirsuta 95 8.2 0.17 0.8 0.77 1.33 0.81 0.27 0.16 ------Deverra triradiata 88 7.9 0.84 9.6 0.33 2.66 6.18 7.9 0.17 ------Noaea mucronata 76 8.5 0.11 0.4 0.4 1.04 0.97 0.14 0.15 studied profiles are of fine sand texture class. The soil profiles of succulent xerophytes. Generally, the electrical profile at Km 10 which is associated with Zygophyllum conductivity (EC) of the soil solution of the studied decumbens indicated the highest fine sand fraction profiles varied between 0.1 to 0.38 dSm-¹ for the (61.2%) among all the studied profiles with very succulent xerophytic profiles. Results presented in remarkably low amount of gravels (0.1%). Table clearly indicate that the soil associated with the Results in Table (1) indicate that the total water succulent xerophytes attained relatively higher amounts of contents for the profiles associated with the selected chloride ion (Cl2) reached the maximum of 1.8 meq L-1 in plants are remarkably varied. The maximum amount soil of Haloxylon salicornicum at Km 119 south of Al- of total water content was 7.7 % in the Cornulaca Alamein. In the profiles supporting the non-succulent monacantha profile, while the minimum amount of xerophytes chlorides vary between 0.4-9.6 meq L-¹ in the 0.4% was recorded in each of Echinopus spinosus and different studied habitats. For Sulphates (Table 2), results Thymelia hirsuta profiles. Soil reaction (pH) is generally show that similar behavior of SO4-2 ions to those of Cl- fair alkaline for all the studied habitats. It ranged ions was observed. Their values ranged between 0.28-3.1 between 7.25-8.5 within the different profiles. However, meq L-1 in profiles of succulent xerophytes and slight increase in pH values are observed in profiles of the between 0.33-0.79 meq L-1 in profiles of non-succulent non-succulent xerophytic plants than those recorded in xerophytes.

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The amounts of cations (Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+ and K+) in tendency towards the accumulation of certain ions in the different profiles of the plant species greatly varied some studied species. The different minerals were among the studied habitats. The highest Ca+2 content estimated in the dry plant material Viz: Cl-, Na++, Ca 2, (2.9 meq L-1) was recorded in soil of the succulent Mg+2, K+. These elements were analyzed in plant shoot xerophyte Agathophora alopecroids at Km 112 south of system in dry & wet periods (Table 5).Chloride content Al-Alamein. The soil profile associated with Deverra varied widely in the xerophytic species. It exhibited triradiata (Table 2 ), attained the highest contents of maximum values in succulent xerophytes and minimum Mg+2, Na+ and K+ among all the species within the in non succulent xerophytes Table. The highest chloride different studied habitats (6.18,7.9 and 0.19 meq L-1 content was revealed by the succulent xerophyte respectively). Zygophyllum decumbens varying from 9.2 mg 100g- From Tables 1 and 2 we concluded that sands are 1-d.wt.in the dry period and 6.9 mg 100g 1d.wt.in the varying in physical nature and chemical characteristics. winter season. In this concern, Zaki [49] reported that the Medium to large-sand erosion channels, lighter in color, highest ash content was associated with the highest stretch through the slope plains. They join up in open Cl-. While the lowest content was recorded in Anabasis shallow valleys to form in part, extended open wadies or articulate. In non succulent xerophytes, chloride content basins. Soil profiles collected from habitats of the showed wide variations among the studied species. succulent xerophytes are characterized with relatively Calcium content demonstrated irregular variation among higher amounts of water contents (free and bound forms) the xerophytic groups. In succulent xerophytes, calcium as well as their pH are slightly alkaline. However, the soil content was high exhibiting the maximum values of profiles of non-succulent xerophytes have shown higher 72.6 mg 100g-1d.wt. in the wet period in Zygopyllum contents of chlorides, sulphates, sodium as well as decumbens while the minimum amount was recorded in relatively increase in pH values. Low concentration of Anabasis articulata. In non succulent xerophytes, calcium, magnesium and potassium ions were recorded Calcium content is relatively low in comparison with that in the different habitats of the studied species with the of succulent xerophytes with the exception of Deverra exception of the profile of Deverra triradiata at km 88 triradiata. Magnesium shows the same trend as Calcium south of Al-Alamein which recorded highe levels of being higher in succulent xerophytes than in non such ions. The results presented here suggested that the succulent xerophytes. There is a great difference among properties of soil could be the most important factor in the the studied species with regard to their sodium content. In determination of the distribution of different life forms. succulent xerophytes, Sodium content was much higher These result in agreement with Mosallam [33]. Morsy [30] than that of non succulent xerophytes. The highest and Youssef and Al-Fredan [44] also reported that soil Sodium content was revealed by Haloxylon salicoiricum characteristics are influencing plant growth, distribution varying from 140.5 mg 100g-1d.wt.. in the dry period to and cover of the plant communities. They also stated that 180.7 mg/100g-1 in the wet period. While the lowest the variations in the soil analyses are due to the difference value, was recorded in Zygophyllum decunbesis. in the nature and the geomorphologic characters. Generally, in all xerophytic species potassium content was much lower than that of Sodium with the exception Ecological Adaptation: Degree of succulence in most of of Noaea mucronata. In this respect, El- Monayeri [18]; succulent xerophytes show high significant differences Abd El- Rahman [3] and Bornkamm et al., [12] found that among all the studied plants reaching the highest of accumulation of mineral ions in tissues of plant species 7.8 in Zygophyllum decumbens during winter (Table 6). positively correlated with their concentration in its Meanwhile, values of succulence in non succulent habitats. xerophytes varied in their ratio 1-3.4 reaching their Changes in the amount of chl a, chl b, chl a+b, maximum (4.1) in Deverra triradiata. These results are in carotenoids and total pigment contents of leaves of accordance with those obtained by Fahmi [20]; Youssef [48]; the studied species at different sites are recorded in Morsy [32] and Abd El-Kawy [4]. Succulence is considered Table 4. In succulent xerophytes, Haloxylon salicornicum, as mechanism through which plants are adapted to Anabasis articulata and Agathophora alopecroids chl.a, adverse environmental conditions [6,31]. Ash content chl.b chl a+b carotenoids & total pigments were increased varied widely among species of the xerophytic groups, significantly during summer than in winter season. exhibiting minimum values in non succulent xerophytes Meanwhile, Cornulaca monacantha and Zygophyllum and maximum values in succulent xerophytes Table (6). decumbens recorded significant increase in It is obvious that the highest ash content was attained by pigment contents during winter. In non succulent Agathophora alopecroids during summer (39%) and these xerophytes, chl. a, chl b chl a+b, carotenoids & total were associated with increase in degree of succulence. pigment contents were increased significant during The increase of ash content was associated by the winter. AL-Tantawy [8], Abd El- Maksoud [1,2] in their development of succulence and there was a general studies on the adaptive responses of desert plants

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Table 3: Seasonal fluctuations in total carbohydrates, soluble sugar, soluble nitrogen and proline content of the studied species Total Carbohydrates Soluble sugar Soluble nitrogen Proline ìmole (mg100g-1 d.wt.) (mg100g-1 d.wt.) (mg100g-1 d.wt.) g-1.f.wt Site (Km) south ------Species of Al-Alamein Winter Summer Winter Summer Winter Summer Winter Summer Succulent xerophytes Haloxylon salicornicum 119 8.3 23.4** 1.2 1.8 95 108** 7.2 5.3** ------Anabasis articulata 86 11.8 15.3** 0.9 1.7 155 83.6** 4.5 4.8 ------Zygophyllum decumbens 10 7.1 5.7 1 1.2 129 77.4** 14.1 4** ------Agathophora alopecroids 112 13.6 8.8** 1.1 0.7 138 95** 6.6 8 Non succulent xerophytes Cornulaca monocantha 117 11.6 22.6** 1.2 1.7 77.6 129.5** 8 7 ------Artemisia monosperma 100 8.6 19.2** 1.8 1.3 105.7 129.5** 4.5 9** ------Echinops spinosus 95 13.5 12.4 1 1.3 159.6 83.6** 4.3 4.8 ------Thymelia hirsute 95 11 12.8 1.3 0.9 103.4 95 5 4.6 ------Deverra triradiata 88 8.3 12.1** 1.4 1.1 139.4 77.7** 8.6 4.6** ------Noaea mucronata 76 11 9.6 1.3 0.7 138 46.6** 6 5.5 ** = significant at# 0.01

Table 4: Seasonal fluctuations in chlorophyll constituents and total pigments (ìg g-1 f.wt.) of the studied species Winter Summer Site (Km) south ------Species of Al-Alamein Chl.a Chl.b Chl. a+b Carot. Total pigments Chl.a Chl.b Chl. a+b Carot. Total pigments Succulent xerophytes Haloxylon salicornicum 119 6 2.5 8.5 1.1 9.6 10.6** 4.1** 14.7 2.1** 16.3** ------Anabasis articulate 86 8 4 12 2.1 14.1 11.6** 5.6** 17.2 2.2 19.4** ------Zygophyllum decumbens 10 12.3 6.3 18.6 3.1 21.7 6.7** 2.1** 8.8 1.0** 9.8** ------Agathophora alopecroids 112 10.3 5.6 15.9 2.7 18.6 14** 6.0** 20** 2.1 22.1** Non succulent xerophytes Cornulaca monocantha 117 7.5 3.3 10.8 1.9 12.7 5.5** 2.2** 7.7 1.1 8.8** ------Artemisia monosperma 100 15.3 10 25.3 4.2 29.5 9.8** 3.3** 13.1 1.2** 14.3** ------Echinops spinosus 95 20.2 12.7 32.9 4.9 37.8 10.1** 2.1** 12.2 0.9** 13.1** ------Thymelia hirsuta 95 14 8.2 22.2 3.9 26.1 6.9** 2.2** 9.1** 0.8** 9.9** ------Deverra triradiata 88 17.8 11.1 28.9 3.3 32.2 9.8** 3.4 13.4** 1.2** 14.6** ------Noaea mucronata 76 26.9 8 34.9 3.3 38.2 11.5** 5.6 17.1** 0.9** 18** in different ecosystems concluded that xerophytes amount was recorded in Haloxylon salicornicum. With attained higher concentrations of chlorophyll and regard to seasonal variations, there is a general trend carotenoids due to their adaptive mechanisms under toward the increase of total carbohydrates content in dry conditions. It was found that there is a significant the dry period. El Monayeri et al. [19] came to the positive correlation between chlorophyll content and conclusion that xerophytes depend to large extent on the osmotic potential [14]. accumulation of organic intermediates; particularly Total carbohydrates varied widely in the studied carbohydrates in building their osmotic potential. With xerophytic groups. Table (3) reveals that the highest regard to seasonal variations; soluble carbohydrates values of the total carbohydrates content were recorded in increase in the rainy period in all xerophytic species. succulent xerophytes. As for succulent xerophytes Similar conclusion was obtained by El Monayeri et al. [18]. Zygophyllum decumbens exhibited the least amount Succulent xerophytic species Zygophyllum decumbens varying from 5.7 to 7.1 mg 100g-1 while the greatest exhibited the minimum amount (44.4 8 mg 100g-1d.wt.).

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Table 5: Seasonal fluctuations in anions and cations content of the studied species Winter Summer ------Soluble anions Soluble cations Soluble anions Soluble cations mg100g-1 d.wt. mg100g-1 d.wt. mg100g-1 d.wt. mg100g-1 d.wt. Site (Km) south ------Species of Al-Alamein Cl- Na+ K+ Ca++ Mg++ Cl- Na+ K+ Ca++ Mg++ Succulent xerophytes Haloxylon salicornicum 119 4.5 180.7 123 12.1 15.3 3.4** 140.5** 122 8.9** 11.3** ------Anabasis articulata 86 2.3 121.2 94.6 10.1 22.2 2.8 120.9 94.7 5.1** 7.5** ------Zygophyllum decumbens 10 6.9 115.9 58.8 72.6 46.3 9.2** 115.6 58.7 70.1 38.8** ------Agathophora alopecroids 112 4.4 151.9 96.8 10.9 30.1 3.7** 151.6 96.8 17.5** 12.6** Non succulent xerophytes Cornulaca monocantha 117 4.6 141.8 106 18.1 17.1 3.6** 141.4 106 12.6** 12.4** ------Artemisia monosperma 100 3.8 136 117 20.2 17.2 3** 125.8** 117 10.4** 7.7** ------Echinops spinosus 95 5.4 150.9 112 12.1 10.1 2.6** 150.7 112 7.6** 10.2 ------Thymelia hirsuta 95 3.1 86.1 111 27.1 15.1 2.8 85.9 40.8** 12.6** 13.1** ------Deverra triradiata 88 3.8 109.7 97.9 30.2 22.1 3.1** 109.4 97.9 10.1** 12.6** ------Noaea mucronata 76 2.6 115.2 170 21.1 23.1 2.5 114.9 170 7.5** 11.2** ** = significant at# 0.01

Table 6: Seasonal fluctuations in succulence and ash content in the studied species Degree of succulence (F.wt / D.wt.) Ash content g100g-1 d.wt. ------Species Site (Km) south of Al-Alamein Winter Summer Winter Summer Succulent xerophytes Haloxylon salicornicum 119 7.5 4.3** 36 33** ------Anabasis articulata 86 3.5 3.6 22 23 ------Zygophyllum decumbens 10 7.8 4.2** 33 22** ------Agathophora alopecroids 112 3.9 5.1** 25 39** Non succulent xerophytes Cornulaca monocantha 117 2.1 3.2** 19 24** ------Artemisia monosperma 100 2.2 3.2** 18 23** ------Echinops spinosus 95 3.4 1.7** 24 15** ------Thymelia hirsuta 95 3.2 1.1** 20 11** ------Deverra triradiata 88 2.9 4.1** 26 30** ------Noaea mucronata 76 1 1.9** 12 21** ** = significant at# 0.01

The maximum rate of total nitrogen content was shown in During winter, proline analysis showed that Anabasis articulata. In non succulent xerophytes, the Zygophyllum decmbens recorded the highest value -1 amount of nitrogen content attained the highest value of (14.1 u mole g. f.wt). Meanwhile, the lowest content was 159.6 8 mg 100g-1d.wt.in Echinops spinosus, while the recorded in the same species during summer. The lowest amount 46.6 8 mg 100g-1d.wt.) was recorded in highest value was recorded in Artemisia monosperma (9.0 umole g.-1f.wt) during summer. Noaea mucronata. Malike and Srivastava [28] reported that Munns et al., [34]; Jones et al., [24] and Wyn Jones [43] the capacity of a plant to bind water to the protein is very found that other probable cytoplasmic osmotica under important, they clarified that during stress conditions, stress conditions, for which there is evidence in particular certain resistant proteins appear in the cells and these species; include sorbitol, proline, betaine, B-alanine resist denaturation. betaine and a number of other amino acids.

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