Effect of nitrogen application on seed yield,pod and seed characteristics of okra

Four okra cultivars [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] were cultivated for two growing periods at nitrogen (N) application rates of 150, 300 and 450 mg N L^?1. There was no effect of N on pod size (length and diameter) or on the number of seeds per pod and seed size (mean 1000 seed weight), all these characteristics of which related to the genotype. High N application (450 mg N L^?1), increased the seed yield of the cultivar with the lowest flower induction (Boyiatiou), but only in experiment 2. In Veloudo, seed yield was highest at 300 mg N L^?1, whereas in Pylaias and Clemson 450 mg N L^?1 reduced seed yield. In all cultivars, seeds produced at an N rate of 450 mg N L^?1 exhibited a significantly higher percent germination N, possibly by reducing the incidence of seed hardness.     

Variability of the Effects of Salinity on Reproductive Capacity of Arabidopsis Thaliana

Abstract

For this study, the diversity of some effects of salinity on rosette growth, seed production, and seed viability in Arabidopsis thaliana was explored. Plants from 5 accessions (“ecotypes”) were grown on a sand-peat mixture irrigated with nutritive medium. At the emergence of inflorescence axis, 35 mM NaCl was added to the solution. Several morphological parameters of the rosette were measured at the beginning of silique opening, irrigation was interrupted and the substrate was allowed to dry. The siliques and the mature seeds were harvested, and assayed for K⁺, Na⁺ and Cl^?. Seeds were sown on pure water and germination kinetics were determined. There was a large inter-ecotype variability of the effect of salt on the rosette growth and on all factors contribution to reproduction (number of inflorescence axes, number of flower per axis, flower fertility, and seed viability). Among the five ecotypes, those with highest levels of Na⁺ and Cl^? in the silique valves produced the less viable seeds. This comparison, (i) suggests that salt accumulation in the former organs has detrimental effect on seed maturation, and (ii) indicates that there is a natural variability for control of ion transport to fruits in A. thaliana.     

Soil salt and NaCl have different effects on seed germination of the halophyte Suaeda salsa

Seed germination is a key life‐history stage of halophytes. Most studies on seed germination of halophytes have focused on the effects of a single salt, while little information is available on the effects of mixed salt in the natural habitat. Due to the contribution of multiple ions in saline soil, we hypothesized that the effect of mixed salt on seed germination will differ from that of a single salt and the mechanism of how germination is affected will differ as well. The effects of mixed salt and NaCl on germination, water imbibition, and ionic concentrations of seeds of Suaeda salsa (L.) Pall. were compared at various salinity levels. Germination percentage (GP) and rate (GR) decreased with increasing salinity level, regardless of salt type. There was no difference in GP or GR between mixed salt and NaCl when the salinity level was below 20 dS m^?1. Above 20 dS m^?1, GP and GR in NaCl were lower than those in mixed salt. At the same salinity level, Na⁺ concentration in seeds was higher in NaCl than that in mixed salt, but the reverse was true for Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentrations. Imbibition rate for seeds in NaCl was lower than that in mixed salt at the same salinity level. Addition of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ alleviated the inhibition of NaCl on seed germination. In conclusion, our results suggest that the effects of soil salts and NaCl on seed germination are different, and using NaCl instead of soil salt might not be realistic to show the effect of saline stress on seed germination of halophytes in the natural habitat.     

氮素对NaCl胁迫下甜高粱种子萌发及芽苗生长与生理的影响

为了研究NaCl胁迫下氮肥对甜高粱种子萌发及芽苗生长和生理特性的影响,探索提高甜高粱耐盐能力的措施,室内设置不同盐分浓度、不同氮源及浓度条件下甜高粱萌芽试验。结果表明:NaCl胁迫和不同氮源对甜高粱发芽和芽苗生长的影响各有不同。NaCl浓度对甜高粱种子萌发有显著影响,在甜高粱芽苗生长阶段,通过提高保护酶活性和渗透调节物质而增强耐盐伤害能力是有限的。100 mmol.L 1NaCl胁迫下,根系POD活性最低,而叶片MDA积累量、可溶性糖含量、POD活性最高,受盐害程度最大。没有盐胁迫情况下增加不同氮源及氮量对甜高粱根叶生理特性的影响差异显著,当氮浓度在20 mmol.L 1时,细胞受伤害程度最低,生长最好。不同形态氮源对甜高粱发芽和幼苗生长的影响差异明显,NH4Cl的促进效果优于KNO3。在100mmol.L 1的NaCl胁迫下,施加铵态氮或硝态氮源均可以增强甜高粱芽苗期的POD活性,减少MDA积累,从而缓解盐胁迫带来的伤害。研究表明采取适当的氮肥调控措施可以提高甜高粱的耐盐能力。     

Seed priming with sorghum water extract and benzyl amino purine along with surfactant improves germination metabolism and early seedling growth of wheat

The influence of seed priming with sorghum water extract (SWE) and benzyl amino purine (BAP) on germination metabolism and early seedling growth of wheat was evaluated in this study. For priming, wheat seeds were soaked in SWE (5%), BAP (5 mg L^?1) alone and mixed with nonionic surfactant Tween-80 (0.05%). All the seed priming treatments significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved the germination metabolism and early seedling growth as compared with dry seeds. Seed priming with combination of SWE, BAP and Tween-80 was the most effective treatment in improving the final germination percentage (34%), number of tillers per pot (50%), fresh weight (32%), dry weight (63%), chlorophyll contents (7%) and total phenolic contents (36%) over dry seed control. Similarly, maximum total soluble proteins, total soluble sugars and α-amylase activity were observed from the combined priming with SWE, BAP and Tween-80. Total soluble proteins were maximum in growing seedlings followed by germinating seeds than primed seeds. The germination and growth improvement by priming with SWE was comparable to BAP which makes it a cost-effective natural growth regulator. Combined applications are more effective, which may be due to enzymatic regulation in a synergistic manner.     

模拟干旱和盐碱胁迫对碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子萌发的影响

为研究干旱和盐碱胁迫对碱蓬(Suaeda glauca)、盐地碱蓬(Suaeda salsa)种子萌发的影响,比较碱蓬和盐地碱蓬逆境生理特性的异同,本研究利用PEG6000、NaCl和Na_2CO_3分别模拟干旱、盐和碱胁迫,配制相同渗透势的PEG6000、NaCl、Na_2CO_3处理液,以蒸馏水处理为对照,对碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子的萌发与胚的生长进行比较研究。结果表明:1)低渗处理(-0.46 MPa)对碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子的萌发无显著影响;高渗处理(-1.38MPa、-1.84 MPa)抑制碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子的萌发。2)当溶液渗透势相等时,NaCl处理下碱蓬种子的萌发率显著大于PEG、Na_2CO_3处理;而等渗PEG、NaCl、Na_2CO_3处理对盐地碱蓬种子萌发率的影响无显著差异。3)PEG、NaCl、Na_2CO_3处理组碱蓬、盐地碱蓬种子的最终萌发率与对照无显著差异。4)在幼苗形成阶段,PEG、Na_2CO_3处理对碱蓬、盐地碱蓬胚的抑制作用显著大于等渗NaCl处理。5)碱蓬、盐地碱蓬胚的生长对NaCl、Na_2CO_3胁迫的响应存在差异。-0.92 MPa NaCl处理抑制碱蓬胚的生长,却对盐地碱蓬产生促进作用;-0.46 MPa Na_2CO_3处理对碱蓬胚的抑制作用小于盐地碱蓬。综合分析表明:碱蓬、盐地碱蓬均具有很强的抗盐性。在种子萌发阶段,碱蓬种子的抗旱、抗碱能力低于盐地碱蓬;在幼苗形成阶段,碱蓬胚的抗盐性小于盐地碱蓬,但对轻度碱胁迫的抗性高于盐地碱蓬。     

拟南芥DA1-Related Protein 2基因参与调控植物对盐胁迫的响应

土壤盐渍化是目前农业生产面临的主要问题之一,同时种子萌发转绿作为植物幼苗形态建成的基础对盐胁迫最为敏感。本研究以Col-0、Ler野生型拟南芥和osr1短根突变体拟南芥为试验材料,通过图位克隆方法得到调控根生长的DAR2(DA1-Related Protein 2)基因。本研究利用RT-PCR方法,发现生长10 d的Col-0幼苗在200 mmol·L 1氯化钠条件下处理6 h和12 h,DAR2基因受盐胁迫诱导;200 mmol·L 1氯化钠处理后,组织化学染色结果显示,萌发1 d的根尖韧皮部和3 d的叶片pDAR2::GUS的表达上升,进一步表明DAR2基因受到盐胁迫的诱导。统计不同MS培养基[0(CK)、100 mmol·L 1氯化钠、150 mmol·L 1氯化钠、200 mmol·L 1氯化钠、150 mmol·L 1氯化钾、200 mmol·L 1甘露醇]上Col-0和dar2-3的萌发率和转绿率发现:随着氯化钠浓度的逐渐增大,突变体无论萌发还是转绿时间明显比野生型晚。在150 mmol·L 1氯化钾和200 mmol·L 1甘露醇培养条件下,萌发和转绿的时间也比野生型要晚。这些结果表明突变体在萌发和转绿期对盐胁迫的敏感性比野生型明显增强,进一步证明了突变体对盐胁迫的敏感性并不是对离子的特异响应。这些研究结果为深入了解逆境胁迫下植物早期生长发育的可塑性调控机制奠定了基础,同时也为通过生物技术改良作物抗逆性提供了理论依据。     

Effect of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium fertilizer on growth and seed germination of Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medikus

We investigated how plant height, number of stem and branch, seed production and seed germination of Capsella bursa-pastoris were affected by nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer using a pot fertilizer experiment. Plant growth parameter was determined, and fully ripen seeds were tested for germination. C. bursa-pastoris exhibited great phenotypic variation in plant height, number of stem and branch in relation to N, P and K supply. Seed production per plant was lowest in the control and low P treatment, and highest in NPK treatment. More than 16,000 seeds per plant were produced in treatments where N and P were applied together. A balanced N, P and K supply results in producing a high percentage and fast germinating seeds, while a deficiency of P and K together with a high N supply results in low germination ability and fast germinating of the produced seeds in C. bursa-pastoris.     

重金属和pH值对类芦种子萌发的影响

类芦(Neyraudia reynaudiana)是一种具有极强耐干旱、贫瘠、高温等逆境的多年生禾草植物,是南方水蚀荒漠化地区、采矿采石厂及各类边坡植被自然恢复中的先锋植物。为探索在各类矿区及受重金属污染的地区采用类芦进行生态修复的可行性,通过室内发芽试验,对类芦种子在Hg2+,Cr6+,Cd2+,Pb2+,Zn2+,Cu2+等6种重金属离子胁迫及不同pH值条件下的萌发能力进行了研究。结果表明,类芦种子在pH值为5.0~9.0的范围内具有良好的萌发能力;6种重金属离子随着处理浓度的升高,对类芦种子的抑制作用逐渐加强,且出现显著抑制作用的最低浓度顺序为:Cd2+Cu2+Hg2+,Zn2+,Cr6+Pb2+;6种重金属对类芦种子活力指数出现显著影响的浓度均较显著影响发芽率、发芽势和发芽指数3个指标的浓度低,说明类芦幼苗生长比种子萌发对6种重金属更加敏感。     

盐碱复合胁迫对水稻种子发芽的影响

为研究盐胁迫与碱胁迫复合对水稻种子发芽的影响,采用模拟试验方法,将两种中性盐(NaCl、Na_2SO_4)和两种碱性盐(NaHCO_3、Na_2CO_3)按照不同比例[NaCl︰Na_2SO_4︰NaH∶CO_3︰Na_2CO_3分别为1︰1︰0︰0(A), 1︰2︰1︰0(B), 1︰9︰1︰0(C), 1︰1︰1︰1(D),9︰1︰1︰9(E)]混合,每个混合比例设不同总盐浓度(50 mmol·L~(-1)、100 mmol·L~(-1)、150 mmol·L~(-1)、200 mmol·L~(-1)),模拟20种盐碱胁迫环境,以去离子水作为对照(CK),研究不同盐碱混合胁迫对水稻种子发芽的影响。结果表明,水稻种子经两种中性盐混合胁迫溶液培养后,与CK相比,发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数的降幅分别为9.2%～74.4%、10.0%～48.9%、5.6%～55.6%,平均发芽时间延长3.2%～96.4%;随胁迫溶液中碱性盐比例的增加,与CK相比, B-E组发芽率分别降低8.9%～96.5%、15.0%～98.0%、7.5%～98.7%、18.9%～95.7%,发芽势分别降低20.0%～94.4%、13.2%～97.8%、3.3%～100%、36.7%～94.4%,发芽指数分别降低16.7%～94.4%、22.2%～100%、16.7%～100%、27.8%～94.4%,平均发芽时间较CK延长0.8～4.5倍,说明中性盐和碱性盐的混合胁迫溶液对水稻种子发芽的抑制作用更强。将在盐碱胁迫溶液中未萌发的水稻种子转移至蒸馏水中培养7d后,水稻种子的最终萌发率均达73.33%以上,表明胁迫溶液没有破坏水稻种子的活性,只是暂时性抑制了种子的萌发。试验结果表明:与单施中性盐比较,中性盐与碱性盐混合胁迫作用对水稻种子萌发的抑制作用更明显,且在中性盐与碱性盐混合溶液浓度达200mmol×L~(-1)时,种子发芽率接近0。     

Promoting deep-sowing germinability of corn (Zea mays) by seed soaking with gibberellic acid

The effects of seed soaking with gibberellic acid (GA₃) on germinability of conventional corn variety ‘Nongda 108’ and super sweet corn variety ‘Chaotian 3’ were investigated under deep-sowing condition. GA₃ soaking significantly improved seed germination and mesocotyl elongation of both varieties under 10 or 6 cm sowing depth. The most significant promotion occurred at 0.175 g L^?1 GA₃ in ‘Nongda 108’ and 0.035 g L^?1 GA₃ in ‘Chaotian 3’. To further illustrate the physiological explanations, seed respiration was estimated from dehydrogenase activity test and oxygen-sensing test. Dehydrogenase activities of both varieties were dramatically promoted after GA₃ soaking. Compared with water soaking, the dehydrogenase activity in 0.175 g L^?1 GA₃-soaked seeds of ‘Nongda 108’ and 0.035 g L^?1 GA₃-soaked ones of ‘Chaotian 3’ was increased by 15.4% and 78.8%, respectively. Oxygen-sensing test showed that increased metabolism time (IMT) critical oxygen pressure (COP) and relative germination time (RGT) were decreased while oxygen metabolism rate (OMR) and relative germination rate (RGR) were increased in GA₃-soaked seeds, suggesting that exogenous GA-accelerated seed respiration. Our results suggested that seed soaking with exogenous GA₃ was a simple and practicable method to improve deep-sowing tolerance during corn seed germination, and the significant promotions were attributed to vigorous respiratory metabolism.     

Enhancement of Germination and Growth of Slickspot Peppergrass in a New Medium with Two Compost Organic Fractions

Slickspot peppergrass (Lepidium papilliferum) is an herbaceous biennal or possibly perennial “rare” endemic plant of the southwestern Idaho high desert listed as a threatened species. This plant establishes perennial seed banks, with seeds remaining dormant and viable for several years. This study aimed to enhance the germination and early growth of this plant by adopting a new medium, a nutrient-enriched agar solution, also added with humic acid (HA) and water-extractable organic matter (WEOM) fractions isolated from a green compost (GC) and a mixed compost (MC). The germination percentage of slickspot peppergrass in this new medium was much greater than that obtained in previous studies. Further, the addition of GC-HA in the medium enhanced significantly the germination and early growth of this plant. The addition of GC-WEOM and MC-WEOM were beneficial only on plant growth for at least 7 months.     

Influence of a volatile inhibitor in natural or limed soil on fungal spore and seed germination

Seed germination on sterilized moist filter or blotting papers resting on natural soils in stacked “Nalgene” plastic specimen dishes was inhibited particularly in alkaline soils in comparison with controls under similar conditions but without soil. The same response was observed when seeds were suspended on filter or blotting papers above the soils, suggesting the influence of an inhibitory volatile factor. Seed germination was not affected in Good's buffers over the pH range of the soil samples tested indicating that inhibition on filter or blotting papers in contact with soils was not due to the direct effect of pH. The observed inhibition of seed germination is similar to that found in the germination of conidia of common soil fungi; a volatile fungistatic factor was also detected in these soils. Liming of moderately acid soils increased conidial inhibition on indirect soil contact or from volatiles: germination of seeds, however, was not affected by liming in five of six soils tested. These results indicate that seeds of higher plants as well as fungal conidia are affected by some natural soils and volatiles are at least partially responsible for inhibition.     

不同生长环境下黄顶菊浸提液对多年生黑麦草萌发与生长的影响

为阐明黄顶菊入侵机制,本文在调查不同生境下黄顶菊居群特征的基础上,进一步采用植株浸提液生物测试的方法研究了不同生境、生长密度及替代植被下黄顶菊对多年生黑麦草的化感潜力。结果表明:黄顶菊的化感作用强弱与其入侵能力存在一定相关性,黄顶菊浸提液的化感潜力随浓度升高而增强;不同植株组织浸提液的化感潜力存在显著差异,表现为地下部分明显低于地上部分;不同生境下黄顶菊浸提液的化感潜力顺序为水边>果园>路边,50 g.L 1茎叶浸提液对多年生黑麦草发芽率化感效应敏感指数分别为2.83(水边)、1.31(果园)和0.71(路边);不同密度黄顶菊的茎叶化感潜力顺序为高、中密度区显著大于低密度区,50g.L 1浓度浸提液对多年生黑麦草发芽率化感效应敏感指数分别为3.91(高密度)、4.89(中密度)和0.29(低密度);根部浸提液的化感潜力顺序则相反。不同替代植被下茎叶浸提液的化感效应为混种>单种,而根系浸提液的化感效应敏感指数则差别不大。因此,黄顶菊不同组织器官化感活性物质分配不同,同时其化感效力能够适应环境条件而发生变化,这可能是造成黄顶菊在不同环境中入侵效果差异的原因之一。     

Calcium and humic acid affect seed germination,growth, and nutrient content of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) seedlings under saline soil conditions

The effects of calcium and humic acid on seed germination, growth and macro- and micro-nutrient contents of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) seedlings in saline soil conditions were evaluated. Different levels of humic acid (0, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg^?1) and calcium (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg kg^?1) were applied to growth media treated with 50 mg NaCl kg^?1 before sowing seeds. Seed germination, hypocotyl length, cotyledon width and length, root size, shoot length, leaf number, shoot and root fresh weights, and shoot and root dry weights of the plant seedlings were determined. Macro- and micro-nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) contents of shoot and root of seedlings were also measured. Humic acid applied to the plant growth medium at 1000 mg kg^?1 concentration increased seedling growth and nutrient contents of plants. Humic acid not only increased macro-nutrient contents, but also enhanced micro-nutrient contents of plant organs. However, high levels of humic acid arrested plant growth or decreased nutrient contents. Levels of 100 and 200 mg kg^?1 Ca²⁺ application significantly increased N, Ca and S contents of shoot, and N and K contents of root.     

Autotoxicity of Phthalate Esters in Tobacco Root Exudates:Effects on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth

Autotoxicity is one of the major factors that impede continuous cropping. It is defined as the toxic influence of chemicals released from one plant species on the germination and growth of individuals of the same species. Here, in order to exam the autotoxicity of tobacco root exudates, root exudates were collected from tobacco plants grown both in cultural solution and on natural soil. Using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry, main autotoxic chemical substances in the root exudates were identified. The autotoxic effects of suspected autotoxins on seed germination (including germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index) and seedling growth were analyzed. Dibutyl phthalate (or diisobutyl phthalate), dioctyl phthalate, and diisooctyl phthalate were identified in tobacco root exudates. It was observed that high concentrations (greater than 0.5 mmol L^-1) of each identified phthalate ester caused significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of tobacco seed germination and seedling growth. It can be concluded that phthalate esters such as dibutyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, and diisooctyl phthalate in tobacco root exudates may play an important role in tobacco autotoxicity.     

Zinc‐biofortified seeds improved seedling growth under zinc deficiency and drought stress in durum wheat

High zinc (Zn) concentration of seeds has beneficial effects both on seed vigor and human nutrition. This study investigated the effect of Zn biofortification on growth of young durum wheat (Triticum durum cv. Yelken) seedlings under varied Zn and water supply. The seeds differing in Zn concentrations were obtained by spraying ZnSO₄ to durum wheat plants at different rates under field conditions. Three groups of seeds were obtained with the following Zn concentrations: 9, 20, and 50 mg Zn kg^?1. The seeds differing in Zn were tested for germination rate, seedling height, shoot dry matter production, and shoot Zn concentration under limited and well irrigated conditions in a Zn‐deficient soil with and without Zn application. In an additional experiment carried out in solution culture, root and shoot growth and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) of seedlings were studied under low and adequate Zn supply. Low seed Zn concentration resulted in significant decreases in seedling height both in Zn‐deficient and sufficient soil, but more clearly under water‐limited soil condition. Decrease in seed germination due to low seed Zn was also more evident under limited water supply. Increasing seed Zn concentration significantly restored impairments in seedling development. Drought‐induced decrease in seedling growth at a given seed Zn concentration was much higher when soil was Zn‐deficient. Increasing seed Zn concentration also significantly improved SOD activity in seedlings grown under low Zn supply, but not under adequate Zn supply. The results suggest that using Zn‐biofortified seeds assures better seed vigor and seedling growth, particularly when Zn and water are limited in the growth medium. The role of a higher antioxidative potential (i.e., higher SOD activity) is discussed as a possible major factor in better germination and development of seedlings resulting from Zn‐biofortified seeds.     

MOLYBDENUM STRESS AFFECTS VIABILITY AND VIGOR OF WHEAT SEEDS

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Sonalika was grown in refined sand at variable molybdenum (Mo) supply ranging from acute deficiency (0.00002 mg L^?1) to excess (10 mg L^?1). Deficiency as well as excess of Mo decreased significantly the biomass, grain yield, Mo content in leaves and seeds and activity of nitrate reductase in leaves. The effect of high (>0.02 mg L^?1) Mo was more marked than its deficiency on wheat. Low and excess Mo deteriorated the quality of grains by lowering the content of starch, sugars, protein, non-protein, and total nitrogen (N) as well as that of prolamin, glutelin, and globulin fractions of seed proteins and increasing the content of albumin and electrical conductivity (EC) of seed leachate. Molybdenum deficiency and excess both resulted in production of lightweight immature seeds, poor in vigor and germination potential. The post fertilization developmental stages required one tenth of the adequate Mo supply for normal bold seed production in wheat. The values of sufficiency and threshold of toxicity in leaves were 0.13 and 1.15 μ Mo g^?1 dry matter of wheat.     

Effects of urease inhibitors on germination of seeds in soil

Abstract

The effects of 23 urease inhibitors on germination of seeds in soil were investigated. The urease inhibitors tested were 2/5‐dimethyl‐l,4‐benzoquinone, 1/4‐benzoquinone, hydroquinone, 2,5‐dichloro‐l,4‐benzoquinone, phenylmercuric acetate, catechol, phenylphosphorodiamidate, phosphoric triamide, N‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐phosphoric triamide, N‐(diaminophosphinyl)benzeneacetamide, 4‐chloro‐N‐(diaminophosphinyl)benzamide, N‐3‐(trifluoromethyl‐phenyl)phosphoric triamide, 4‐fluoro‐N‐(diaminophosphinyl)‐benzamide/ 4‐cyano‐N‐(diaminophosphinyl)benzamide, N‐(diamino‐phosphinyl)‐3‐pyridinecarboxamide, N‐(diaminophosphinyl)‐benzamide, N‐phenylphosphoric triamide, phosphorodiamidic acid, N‐(n‐butyl)thiophosphoric triamide, thiophosphoric triamide, 4‐chlorophenylphosphorodiamidate, 2,4‐diphenoxy‐2,4,6,6‐tetraaminocyclotriphosphazene, and 2‐phenoxy‐2,4,4,6,6‐pentaaminocyclotriphosphazene. Germination tests were performed with seeds of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], and corn (Zea mays L.).

None of the inhibitors tested affected seed germination when applied at the rate of 250 μg g^‐1 soil. One inhibitor (2,5‐dimethyl‐l,4‐benzoquinone) affected seed germination when applied at the rate of 500 μg g^‐1 soil, and three inhibitors (2,5‐dimethyl‐1,4‐benzoquinone, 1,4‐benzoquinone, and hydroquinone) affected seed germination when applied at the rate of 2500 μg g^‐1 soil. None of the other inhibitors tested affected seed germination when applied at the rate of 500 or 2500 μg g^‐1 soil.     

Effect of Calcium and Potassium Nutrition on Yield,Ion Content,and Salt Tolerance of Brassica campestris (rapa)

When plants encounter salinity, growth is reduced initially by water stress and subsequently by toxic levels of ions and by interference with nutrient acquisition and translocation. Calcium (Ca^{2 +}) in particular seems to have an important role in salt tolerance and there are reports of a beneficial effect of increasing Ca^{2 +} availability. Higher potassium (K⁺) concentrations in plants may also improve salinity tolerance as sodium (Na)⁺/K⁺ ratios have been shown to be important. Previous work with a range of Acacia species has suggested that endogenous seed Ca^{2 +} and K⁺ concentrations might influence salinity tolerance at germination, but this has not previously been tested with a single species. The objectives of this investigation were thus to determine whether (1) altered Ca^{2 +} and K⁺ nutrition of Brassica campestris (rapa) L. plants affects the yield and ion content of their seeds, and (2) seeds with different Ca^{2 +} and K⁺ contents differ in their salinity tolerance. Plants were grown in a growth room or greenhouse in (1) Gem® horticultural sand (2) Silvaperl® perlite and sand (2:1), or (3) Shamrock® Medium General Purpose Irish Sphagnum Peat and Vermiperl® vermiculite (1:1). Plants in each growth substrate were supplied with nutrient solutions based on a modified Hoagland's solution as a control, low Ca^{2 +} and low K⁺ solutions containing those elements at half the control strength, but all other mineral elements as far as possible at control strength, and high Ca^{2 +} and high K⁺ solutions containing those elements at double control strength but all other mineral elements, as far as possible, at control strength. An increase in substrate available Ca^{2 +} and K⁺ resulted in increased Ca^{2 +} and K⁺ concentration in seeds, respectively, and was accompanied by a reduction in seed K⁺ and Ca^{2 +}, respectively. The Ca^{2 +} and K⁺ concentrations of seeds affected their salinity tolerance. Increases in seed Ca^{2 +}, K⁺ or Ca^{2 +}+ K⁺ concentrations decreased salinity tolerance at germination. The results, especially in terms of Ca^{2 +} nutrition, contradict previous results of an increased salinity tolerance with increased Ca^{2 +} and/or K⁺ concentrations.