COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF RICE SEEDLINGS TO COLD,SALT, AND DROUGHT STRESSES

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most sensitive crops to drought, salt and cold stresses, particularly at post germination stage. The effects of these stresses on some physiological responses of two (a salt tolerant and a sensitive) rice cultivars ‘FL478’ and ‘IR29’ were investigated in this study. Two-day seedlings were transferred to MS media complemented with iso-osmotic concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl; 0, 50, 100, and 150 mM) or mannitol (0, 100, 180, and 275 mM) at 25°C or four and 15°C for 10 days. Experiments were carried out based on completely randomized design, with at least three replicates. All three stresses decreased shoot growth, chlorophylls, carotenoids and root starch while increased shoot soluble sugars. The effect of exerted cold stress on growth, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malonyldialdehyde levels, electrolyte leakage, chlorophylls and carotenoids contents was more than or comparable with drought, but greater than salinity. The results also indicated higher tolerance of ‘‘FL478’’ not only to salinity but also to drought compared to ‘‘IR29’’. Therefore, a mechanism for osmotic stress adjustment is probable in ‘‘FL478’’ in addition to low sodium (Na⁺) to potassium (K⁺) ratio in shoot tissues under salinity.     

K-priming positively modulates growth and nutrient status of salt-stressed cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seedlings

Being macronutrient, K⁺ is involved in a number of metabolic processes including stimulation of over 60 enzymes. The present study was conducted to investigate whether K-priming could alleviate the effects of salinity on the growth and nutrient status of cotton seedlings. The seeds of two cotton cultivars, namely FH-113 and FH-87, were primed with solutions of three potassium sources (KNO₃, K₂SO₄ and K₂HPO₄) using three concentrations (0%, 1.25% and 1.5%) of each potassium source. After 1 week of germination, the seedlings were subjected to salinity (0 and 200 mM NaCl) stress. The results showed that salinity significantly affected growth and nutrients status of cotton seedlings. The K-priming alleviated the stress condition and significantly improved dry matter as well as nutrient uptake in cotton seedlings. Of the priming treatments pre-sowing treatment with KNO₃ (1.5%) was most effective in increasing shoot and root lengths and biomass of cotton seedlings. The seedlings raised from seed treated with KNO₃ (1.5%) showed varied accumulation of cations (Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺) and faced less oxidative stress irrespective of cotton cultivars under salt stress. The results suggested that pre-sowing seed treatment with KNO₃ (1.5%) might be recommended for synchronized germination and sustainable production of cotton crop under saline environments.     

黑果枸杞种子萌发对PEG模拟干旱胁迫的响应

[目的]研究干旱胁迫对黑果枸杞种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响,为黑果枸杞人工栽培提供理论依据。[方法]通过聚乙二醇(polyethylene glycol,PEG)模拟干旱胁迫,测定不同干旱胁迫强度下黑果枸杞种子的萌发进程、发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数、幼苗的生长、幼苗渗透调节物质、叶绿素含量等指标,研究干旱胁迫对黑果枸杞种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响。[结果]干旱胁迫不利于黑果枸杞种子的萌发,重度干旱胁迫推迟其萌发的高峰期;干旱胁迫下黑果枸杞种子的发芽率、发芽势均呈下降趋势,-0.6 MPa处理下,黑果枸杞种子发芽率、发芽势相对对照分别降低72.06%和74.07%;干旱胁迫对黑果枸杞种子发芽指数和活力指数有抑制作用,其抑制程度随干旱胁迫强度的增加而增加;适度干旱胁迫有利于黑果枸杞幼苗胚根和胚芽的生长,而中度、重度干旱胁迫不利于幼苗胚芽的生长;干旱胁迫下黑果枸杞幼苗根、芽脯氨酸含量和可溶性糖含量均随着胁迫程度的增加逐渐增加,而幼苗叶绿素含量(Chl a+b)随干旱胁迫强度的增加逐渐降低。[结论]干旱胁迫对黑果枸杞种子萌发及幼苗生长有重要影响,适度的干旱胁迫有利于黑果枸杞幼苗的生长。     

Drought and Salt Stress Mitigation by Seed Priming with KNO3 and Urea in Various Maize Hybrids: An Experimental Approach Based on Enhancing Antioxidant Responses

Priming offers an effective means for counteracting different stresses induced oxidative injury and raising seed performance in many crop species. The present study was carried out to investigate the ability of potassium nitrate (KNO₃) and urea to promote the tolerance of different maize hybrids to drought and salt stresses to identify some biochemical parameters associated with KNO₃ and urea induced resistance in maize seedlings. An experiment was conducted in a controlled environment of the laboratory at the college of agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz Iran, during 2010. The first factor was stress type and intensity at five levels; moderate drought, severe drought, moderate salt, severe salt, and control (without stress). Seed priming was the second factor; water as control, KNO₃, and urea, and maize hybrids, including Maxima, SC704, Zola, and 304 were the third factor. Results indicated that the highest chlorophyll a (Ch a), chlorophyll b (Ch b), total chlorophyll (Ch T) contents, and carotenoids (Car) were found in no stress treatments and the most proline, protein contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities in severe drought treatment. Also, results revealed that generally, drought and salinity stresses decreased the amount of Ch a and the lowest Ch a was recorded for severe salinity stress (4.29 mg g^?1). Stresses caused decrease in Ch b, but the effect of sever salinity level was higher than the others. Priming of KNO₃ had significantly higher proline content than water and urea priming. The SC704 and 304 hybrids showed higher proline content than the other ones. Finally, the maize seed KNO₃ and urea priming lead to high activities of antioxidant defensive enzymes and increase the tolerance level to abiotic stresses such as salt and drought.     

苦豆子和披针叶黄华种子萌发和幼苗生长对干旱胁迫的响应

以采集于河西走廊中部荒漠边缘的苦豆子(Sophora alopecuroides L.)和披针叶黄华(Thermopsis lanceolate L.)种子为试验材料, 以不同渗透势PEG-6000 溶液模拟干旱条件, 研究了2 种植物种子萌发和幼苗生长对干旱胁迫的响应特征。研究结果显示, 随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧, 2 种植物种子吸胀速率、萌发率、萌发指数、活力指数、苗高、根长和组织饱和含水量等指标均表现出明显降低趋势, 而幼苗干重、根干重和根冠比均呈先升后降趋势。2 种植物种子萌发对干旱胁迫均较为敏感, 苦豆子和披针叶黄华种子能够萌发的最低渗透势阈值分别为-0.65 MPa 和-0.42 MPa。2 种植物因干旱胁迫未能萌发的种子复水后萌发率均较高。分析认为, 2 种植物种子萌发和幼苗生长对干旱胁迫的响应特征对幼苗的成功定植和种群的自然更新具有重要生态学意义, 但在人工栽培时保证土壤墒情应是保障建植成功的关键措施。     

赤霉素对盐害下碱茅的萌发和幼苗生长的影响

以碱茅为试材,在100 mmol/L的NaCl盐胁迫下,通过种子培养、室内盆栽试验,研究盐胁迫下不同浓度赤霉素（8,15,20,25,50 mg/L）对碱茅种子萌发、幼苗生长的影响。结果表明:（1）100 mmol/L的NaCl严重抑制碱茅的种子萌发和幼苗生长,碱茅种子的发芽率、发芽势和发芽指数、根茎长显著降低,根系活力、过氧化物酶活力受到严重抑制;（2）在外源赤霉素溶液为8～20 mg/L的范围内,随着浓度的升高,碱茅种子的发芽率、发芽势和发芽指数、根茎长逐渐升高,根系活力、过氧化物酶活力、耐盐指数明显提高;（3）高浓度（ > 20 mg/L）的外源赤霉素浸种处理,对种子的促进作用逐渐下降,当赤霉素浓度为50 mg/L时,碱茅的发芽率和根茎比低于对照,产生了抑制效应。结论:不同浓度赤霉素对提高碱茅种子耐盐性有不同程度的促进作用,以赤霉素浓度为20 mg/L时作用效果最佳。     

4种多年生禾本科牧草种子萌发对Na2CO3胁迫的响应

采用培养眦室内培养方法,研究了4种多年生根茎型耐旱植物俄罗斯新麦草（Elymus junceus Fisch）、苇状羊茅（Festucaarundinacea Schreb）、羊草（Leymus chinensis Trin．Trzvel．）和高冰革（Agropygron elongatum Host Nevski）种子对不同浓度（0、25、50、75和100mmol·L^-1）Na2CO3胁迫及胁迫解除后种子发芽率和幼苗生长的响应。结果表明,4种牧草发芽率均在没有Na2CO3胁迫时最高,且以苇状羊茅最高达到96．8％,羊草最低73．1％;随着胁迫浓度的增加发芽率呈下降趋势,高冰草在100mmol·L^-1Na2CO3下发芽率仍达到14．9％,而其他3种牧草在此浓度下没有观察到萌发的种子。4种牧草的发芽速率均与Na2CO3浓度呈显著负相关,相同Na2CO3浓度下,4种牧草中苇状羊茅最高,羊草最低。Na2CO3胁迫对根长的抑制明显高于苗长,且对不同物种影响不同;75mmol·L^-1Na2CO3胁迫下,除了高冰草根长为3．4cm之外,其他3个物种根的伸长几乎完全被抑制。解除胁迫后,羊草种子发芽恢复最快,且发芽率与原Na：CO,浓度成正比;高冰草、俄罗斯新麦草和苇状羊茅几乎均为0。上述结果说明,4种牧草中,种子萌发期以高冰革耐Na2CO3能力最强,其次是俄罗斯新麦草和苇状羊茅,羊草种子最差;但当胁迫解除后,羊草种子具有较高的萌发恢复率,这也是其适应盐碱环境的一个重要原因.     

胆碱脂肪酸/氨基酸对PEG模拟干旱胁迫下玉米萌发的影响

为探究秸秆预处理过程中产生的胆碱类离子液体残液对干旱胁迫下玉米种子萌发的影响,以典型农作物玉米(Zea mays L.)为研究对象,使用13%聚乙二醇-6000(PEG)模拟干旱胁迫,以种子萌发参数、根芽长、种胚抗氧化酶活性为指标,研究200 mg·L^-1胆碱脂肪酸离子液体(胆碱己二酸、胆碱辛二酸)和胆碱氨基酸离子液体(胆碱缬氨酸、胆碱苏氨酸、胆碱天冬氨酸、胆碱天冬酰胺)浸种处理对PEG模拟干旱胁迫下玉米种子萌发的影响。结果表明,PEG模拟干旱胁迫下,胆碱己二酸、胆碱辛二酸浸种处理显著提高了玉米种子的发芽指数,胆碱天冬氨酸、胆碱天冬酰胺浸种处理显著提高了种子的发芽势。另外,胆碱类离子液体浸种均促进了干旱胁迫下玉米根芽的生长,其中胆碱苏氨酸浸种处理下芽长增加最显著,增加48.2%;胆碱天冬氨酸浸种处理下根长增加最显著,增加26.7%。在PEG模拟干旱胁迫条件下,不同胆碱脂肪酸和胆碱氨基酸浸种处理提高了种胚中过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,且丙二醛(MDA)和过氧化氢(H₂O₂)含量均显著下降。综上,胆碱类离子液体浸种处理可能通过提高PEG模拟干旱胁迫下玉米种胚的抗氧化酶活性,降低MDA和H₂O₂含量,缓解氧化胁迫,促进PEG模拟干旱胁迫下玉米种子的萌发与萌发后根芽的生长。胆碱类离子液体有望作为作物生长调控物质,这为胆碱离子液体残液的利用提供了可行的途径。     

EFFECTS OF SOAKING TEMPERATURE,STRATIFICATION, POTASSIUM NITRATE AND GIBBERELLIC ACID ON SEED GERMINATION OF LOQUAT TREES

The present study was carried out to increase loquat seed germination with treatments consisting of two soaking temperatures (24 ± 2°C and 38 ± 2°C), chemical agents [control, 0.5% potassium nitrate (KNO₃) and 250 mgL^?1 gibberellic acid (GA₃) each for 20 h], and different moist chilling (MC) periods (1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks under 4–5°C). Compared with 24 ± 2°C, soaking at 38 ± 2°C reduced germination%, mean daily germination (MDG), and mean germination time (MGT), plumule and radicle lengths. Germination percentage, days to 50% emergence, fresh weight and lateral root numbers significantly reduced as MC period increased. KNO₃ and GA₃ had no significant effect on germination percentage, MDG, MGT and lateral root numbers. KNO₃ reduced days to 50% emergence and radicle length, but increased fresh weight compared with control and GA₃. Finally, our results suggest the soaking at 24 ± 2°C followed by 0.5% KNO₃ each for 20 h plus 1 week of MC or soaking at 24 ± 2°C followed by 250 mgL^?1 GA₃ each for 20 h plus 2 week of MC.     

Seed priming improves seedling emergence and reduces oxidative stress in Nigella sativa under soil moisture stress

Nigella sativa seeds have multiple industrial and pharmaceutical uses for the diseases treatment such as bronchitis, rheumatism, high blood pressure, cough, eczema, inflammation, and influenza. Although semi-arid areas are suitable for production of annual medicinal plants because they receive favorable amounts of solar radiations, the establishment of these plants' seedling requires frequent irrigations because their seeds are small and the climate is hot at the time of planting. When the irrigation sources are limited, poor establishment and inadequate production will result. Therefore, in order to improve nitrogen (N) in N. sativa seedling establishment, different effects of seed priming treatments were evaluated under drought stress. Different levels of soil moisture (irrigation after 11, 22, 33, and 44 mm of evaporation as no water stress, mild water stress, moderate water stress, and severe water stress, respectively) and seed priming treatments [no priming, potassium nitrate (KNO₃), zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄), polyethylene glycol 6000, and gibberellic acid (GA)] were evaluated as the main plot and subplot factors, respectively. The results showed that under mild water stress condition, seed priming significantly increased proline content and the highest percentage of emergence was obtained with ZnSO₄. Furthermore, the highest amount of soluble protein was observed in the KNO₃ treatment and the catalase enzyme content increased in all priming treatments, except polyethylene glycol treatment. Under moderate water stress condition, the KNO₃ treatment raised the rate and percentage of emergence and the seedling length. However, under severe water stress condition, the highest percentage of emergence was achieved by GA and ZnSO₄ treatments. Moreover, hydropriming and GA produced the highest proline content and seedling dry weight. Under moderate and severe water stress conditions, the hydropriming and ZnSO₄ treatments showed a significant increase in catalase activity. It can be concluded that priming of N. sativa seeds with ZnSO₄ and GA can alleviate drought stress in the early stages of seedling growth by increasing the antioxidants in the seedlings. Farmers in semi-arid regions can prime N. sativa seeds with these compounds before planting to increase production of this valuable medicinal plant and reduce water consumption.     

沙蒿种子萌发对NaCl及聚乙二醇胁迫的响应

[目的]研究在盐分以及干旱胁迫条件下沙蒿种子的萌发能力,为沙蒿的人工培育和栽种提供参考依据。[方法]以沙蒿种子为试验材料,使用不同浓度的NaCl溶液(0.2%,0.4%,0.6%,0.8%,1.0%,1.2%,1.4%,1.6%,1.8%)和聚乙二醇(PEG)溶液(5%,10%,15%,20%,25%)模拟盐分以及干旱对种子的胁迫条件,测定种子萌发初期的发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数。[结果]当NaCl浓度≤0.6%时,上述指标与对照组相比未发生显著变化;但当溶液浓度高于这一范围时,各项指标则随浓度升高而显著降低;说明NaCl溶液浓度为0.6%是种子正常萌发的适宜浓度界限。当PEG浓度≤15%时,沙蒿种子的上述指标与对照组相比未发生显著变化;但当PEG浓度高于15%时,种子各项指标与对照组相比则显著降低;说明PEG浓度为15%是种子正常萌发的适宜浓度界限。[结论]沙蒿种子对轻、中度的盐分及干旱胁迫表现出耐受性,在含盐量较低的土壤以及轻、中度的干旱环境中仍可正常萌发。     

干旱胁迫对窄叶鲜卑花种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

[目的]研究干旱胁迫对窄叶鲜卑花种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响,为野生种驯化和种群恢复提供参考。[方法]以窄叶鲜卑花种子为实验材料,采用不同浓度聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)模拟干旱胁迫环境,研究干旱协迫强度对窄叶鲜卑花种子的吸胀速率、发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数和种子抗旱萌发指数及幼苗生长情况的影响。[结果]随着干旱胁迫程度的加剧,窄叶鲜卑花种子的吸水过程表现出急速吸水期、缓慢上升期和吸水平稳期3个阶段;其发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数和种子抗旱萌发指数及苗高、根长,苗重与胁迫强度均呈负相关;当PEG浓度达30%时,种子萌发完全被抑制。另一方面,种子群体萌动、萌发和出苗达50%所需时间随胁迫强度的增加而越发延迟,且各阶段对环境临界水势要求不同,出苗阶段最为严格,表明种子出苗过程对环境水分胁迫较为敏感,耐旱能力较弱。[结论]干旱胁迫显著抑制了窄叶鲜卑花种子的萌发和幼苗生长,也说明水分是窄叶鲜卑花种子萌发和幼苗形成的主导因素之一,在较干旱地区种植需要考虑水分的供给。     

聚乙二醇（PEG6000）模拟干旱胁迫抑制矮沙冬青种子的萌发

本研究以新疆特有濒危保护植物矮沙冬青（Ammmopiptanthus nanus（M．Pop．）Chengf）的种子为材料,用不同渗透势浓度的聚乙二醇（PEG6000）模拟干旱胁迫,探讨干旱胁迫对矮沙冬青种子发芽率、平均发芽速度、胚轴和胚根长度及发芽指数、活力指数的影响。结果表明,不同浓度PEG胁迫处理均降低了种子的发芽率,延缓了矮沙冬青种了萌发进程;种子的发芽率、发芽指数和活力指数均随胁迫强度的增加呈明显下降趋势。当-1．20MPa的PEG胁迫处理的种子在试验结束时仍未能萌发,表明-1．20MPa是矮沙冬青种子萌发的临界水势。PEG模拟十旱胁迫中,当PEG处理为-0．2MPa时,虽然最终发芽率与对照一样,但其胚根、胚轴的长度都比对照短,说明矮沙冬青胚根、胚轴的生长比发芽率对干旱胁迫更敏感。干旱胁迫可能是导致矮沙冬青种群天然更新能力弱的原因之一。本研究将为矮沙冬青种质资源的保护和种群的恢复提供科学依据。     

Growth Responses and Nitrogen-15 Absorption of Desert Saltgrass Under Salt Stress

Abstract

Saltgrass [Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene var. stricta (Gray) Beetle], accession WA-12, collected from a salt playa in Wilcox, AZ, was studied in a greenhouse to evaluate its growth responses in terms of shoot and root lengths, shoot dry-matter yield, and nitrogen (N) (regular and ¹⁵N) absorption rates under control and salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) stress conditions. Plants were grown under a control (no salt) and three levels of salt stress (100, 200, and 400 mM NaCl, equivalent to 5850, 11700, and 23400 mg L^{? 1} sodium chloride, respectively), using Hoagland solution in a hydroponics system. Ammonium sulfate [(¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄], 53% ¹⁵N (atom percent ¹⁵N) was used to enrich the plants. Plant shoots were harvested weekly, oven-dried at 60°C, and the dry weights measured. At each harvest, both shoot and root lengths were also measured. During the last harvest, plant roots were also harvested and oven-dried, and dry weights were determined and recorded. All harvested plant materials were analyzed for total N and ¹⁵N. The results showed that shoot and root lengths decreased under increasing salinity levels. However, both shoot fresh and dry weights significantly increased at 200 mM NaCl salinity relative to the control or to the 400 mM NaCl level. Shoot succulence (fresh weight/dry weight) also increased from the control (no salt) to 200 mM NaCl, then declined. The root dry weights at both 200 mM and 400 mM NaCl salinity levels were significantly higher than under the control. Concentrations of both total-N and ¹⁵N in the shoots were higher in NaCl-treated plants relative to those under the control. Shoot total-N and ¹⁵N contents were highest in 200 mM NaCl-treated plants relative to those under the control and 400 mM salinity.     

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。     

GROWTH,NUTRIENT ACQUISITION,AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF HYDROPONIC GROWN TOMATO TO SODIUM CHLORIDE SALT INDUCED STRESS

□ Growth and nutrient acquisition of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) cv ‘Amani’ were studied under induced salt stress in Hoagland's solution. The plants were treated for 37 days with salinity induced by incorporating different concentrations [0.0 (control), 50, 100, 150, or 200 mM] of sodium chloride (NaCl) to the nutrient solution. Slight reduction was obtained in growth represented by (shoot length and number, leaf number, and dry weight) when seedlings were directly exposed to NaCl stress from 0.0 to 100 mM. At higher concentrations (150 or 200 mM), growth parameters were adversely affected and seedlings died thereafter. Elevated salinity significantly reduced crude protein and fiber in shoots and roots. Tomato shoot and root contents of potassium (K), iron (Fe), and ash were reduced significantly in response to increased levels of salinity. Tissue contents of sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) increased with elevated salinity treatments.     

38个粒用高粱品种芽期耐盐性的综合鉴定及评价

为筛选适合盐碱地种植的粒用高粱品种,在150 mmol·L^-1NaCl浓度下对38个粒用高粱品种进行芽期耐盐性的筛选和评价。结果表明,盐胁迫下,38个高粱品种除根冠比外,发芽势、发芽率、根长和叶长均受到不同程度的抑制;各性状的相对值以相对根冠比(CV=62.84%)和相对根长(CV=44.55%)的变异较大;各性状的盐害率则以发芽率的盐害率(CV=39.86%)变异最大。盐胁迫下,相对发芽势与相对发芽率呈显著正相关(R=0.341),而二者与相对根长(R=0.214;R=-0.041)和相对叶长(R=0.041;R=0.205)之间无显著相关性。通过主成分分析确定了2类主成分,分别反映根部生长状况和萌发状况;同时根据各因子的载荷矩阵确定相对根冠比、相对发芽势和相对发芽率可以作为高粱耐盐性的鉴定指标。主成分得分值和模糊隶属函数值间呈显著正相关,表明可以通过二者的综合得分进行高粱耐盐性评价和分类。同时,本研究筛选出了耐盐性品种通杂141、晋粱白2号、吉杂137、龙米粱1号和吉杂148。本研究结果为芽期高粱耐盐性品种的筛选提供了理论基础和鉴定方法。     

Effects of salinity,drought, and priming treatments on seed germination and growth parameters of Lathyrus sativus L.

Germination of plants is one of the most important stages during their growth, which is often influenced by environmental stresses, especially drought and salinity. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of salinity and drought on seed germination and growth of Lathyrus sativus. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement in four replications. Salinity treatments were 0, 2, and 4 dS/m and drought treatments included 0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 MPa. Salinity and drought treatments were prepared by using sodium chloride and polyethylene glycol 6000, respectively. The results showed that salinity and drought stresses decreased germination percentage, and root and radicle length.     

Effect of salinity and soil temperature on the growth and physiology of drip-irrigated rice seedlings

Drip irrigation offers potential for rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in regions where water resources are limited. However, farmers in China’s Xinjiang Province report that drip-irrigated rice seedlings sometimes suffer salt damage. The objective of this study was to learn more about the effects of soil salinity and soil temperature on the growth of drip-irrigated rice seedlings. The study consisted of a two-factor design with two soil salinity treatments (0 and 1.8 g kg^?1 NaCl) and three soil temperature treatments (18°C, 28°C and 36°C). The results showed that shoot biomass, root biomass and root vigor were greatest when seedlings were grown with no salt stress (0 g kg^?1 NaCl) at 28°C. Moderate salt stress (1.8 g kg^?1 NaCl) combined with high temperature (36°C) significantly reduced root and shoot biomass by 39–53%. Moderate salt stress and high temperature also increased root proline concentration by 77%, root malonyldialdehyde concentration by 60% and seedling mortality by 60%. Shoot and root Na⁺ concentrations, shoot and root Na⁺ uptake and the Na⁺ distribution ratio in shoots were all the greatest when moderate salt stress was combined with high temperature. In conclusion, high soil temperature aggravates salt damage to drip-irrigated rice seedlings. Therefore, soil salinity should be considered before adopting drip-irrigation for rice production.     

Effect of presowing seed treatments on germination and early seedling growth of wheat varieties under saline conditions

The effect of presowing wheat seed treatments was investigated for the salt-sensitive variety Blue Silver and relatively salt-tolerant variety PARI-73 at the germination and early seedling stages. Seeds were treated with distilled water (DW) or 10/50 mm KCl, KNO₃ , CaCl₂, Ca(NO₃)₂ and then germinated in DW or 200 mm NaCl. Treatment with calcium (Ca) or potassium (K) did not lead to a significantly higher rate for final germination than the DW treatment. Ca salt treatments significantly improved shoot growth during the early seedling establishment stage in both varieties, especially in the salt-sensitive variety Blue Silver. There were significant differences in the Ca content of seeds after various presowing treatments. There were also significant differences between both varieties in the ion contents after seed treatment. However, these differences appeared to be related to the improvement of shoot growth during the early seedling establishment stage and not to the effectiveness of pres owing seed treatments in increasing germination.