Effects of salinity and desalination on seed germination of six annual weed species

The effects of various salinities and desalination on seed germination of six annual glycophytes (Artemisia sieversiana, A. scoparia, Chloris virgata, Eragrostis pilosa, Chenopodium acuminatum and Chenopodium glaucum) were studied in Horqin Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia, China. NaCl solutions of five concentrations (0 mM, as the control, and 50, 100, 200 and 300 mM) were used for saline stress and desalination treatments. Increasing salinity significantly reduced germination percentages of A. sieversiana, A. scoparia, Ch.virgata and Ch. acuminatum, but had no effect on the germination percentages of E. pilosa. Lower salinity levels (50 mM) significantly increased germination percentage of Ch. glaucum. High salinity might be a precondition for germi- nation after desalination for five of the six species, excepting E. pilosa at NaCl concentration of 300 mM in comparison with non-primed seeds. Higher salinity (>200 mM) led to some specific ion toxicity and reduced seed viability of A. sieversiana. No specific ion toxicity but an osmotic effect limited the germination of other five species was observed The final germination percentages (salinity stress and desalination) of the six species showed three variations in comparison with the controls, namely, indiscrimination, stimulation, and reduction. Germination responses to salinity and desalination suggested that the six species were separated into three categories. Three species (A. sieversiana, Ch. virgata and Ch. acuminatum) showed similar germination responses to salinity with those of halophyte, but also showed a lower tolerance limit than most halophytes, although this was not always the case. A. scoparia and Ch. glaucum exhibited some ’salt stimulation’ in seed germination percentages after desalination, whereas E. pilosa did not show any obvious responseto salinity. Therefore, salinity usually induces dormancy of seeds with strong germination capacity in fresh water, but has few, or even positive, effects on seeds with strong innate dormancy.     

Comparison of seed germination and early seedling growth responses to salinity and temperature of the halophyte Chloris virgata and the glycophyte Digitaria sanguinalis

Salinization is an increasing land degradation issue in the Songnen Grassland of northern China. Effects of salinity and temperature on seed germination and seedling growth of Chloris virgata, a promising halophyte, and Digitaria sanguinalis, a widespread glycophyte were examined in six soil solutions (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mm NaCl) and four temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 30°C). Germination percentages and rates of both species decreased significantly at higher salinities, but ungerminated seeds can recover germination upon supply of distilled water. Radicle length, seedling height and the total dry weight of both species generally decreased in a concentration‐dependent manner at 20°C and above as the salinity increased. However, at 15°C, the salt‐treated seedlings showed decreases with a similar magnitude for different salinities. Low salinities seem to stimulate germination and seedling growth of C. virgata compared with the control treatment. Both species were more sensitive to salinity during the seedling stage than the germination stage. Digitaria sanguinalis from the saline Songnen Grassland region seems to develop a halophyte‐like adaptive strategy to some extent. However, C. virgata may still dominate most hyperhaline areas due to its higher salt tolerance.     

植物响应盐胁迫蛋白质组学研究进展

盐胁迫严重影响作物生长发育,是导致作物产量和品质下降的主要逆境因子之一。蛋白质是植物生理功能的执行者和生命活动的直接体现者,明确盐胁迫下差异表达蛋白质的种类及性质,对于提高植物抗盐性研究具有重要意义。蛋白质组学技术是研究差异表达蛋白质的强有力工具,本文综述了国内外应用蛋白质组学技术在植物盐胁迫响应方面的研究进展,比较了甜土植物与盐生植物响应盐胁迫的差异蛋白质的种类,并对利用蛋白质组学技术在植物盐胁迫响应研究方面进行了展望。