Growth Response of Various Perennial Grasses to Increasing Salinity

ABSTRACT

Although the effect of salinity on plant growth has been the focus of a substantive research effort, much of this research has failed adequately to separate the various growth-limiting aspects of salinity; thus, the results are confounded by multiple factors. Eight perennial grass species were grown in a sand-culture system dominated by sodium chloride (NaCl) [electrical conductivities (ECs) between 1.4 and 38 dS m^?1], with sufficient calcium (Ca) added to each treatment to ensure that Na-induced Ca deficiency did not reduce growth. Of the eight perennial grass species examined, Chloris gayana cv. ‘Pioneer’ (Rhodes grass) was the most salt-tolerant species, while Chrysopogon zizanioides cv. ‘Monto’ (vetiver) was of only moderate tolerance. However, observed salinity tolerances tended to be lower than those expected from published values based on the threshold-salinity (bent-stick) model. This discrepancy may be due in part to differences in the evapotranspirational demand between studies; i.e., an increase in demand accelerates the accumulation of sodium (Na) in the shoots and hence decreases apparent salinity tolerance. It was also observed that the use of a non-saline growth period (to allow seed germination and establishment) results in the overestimation of vegetative salinity tolerance if not taken into consideration. This situation is particularly true for species of low salt tolerance, due to their comparatively rapid growth in the non-saline medium compared with growth at full salinity.     

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.     

Implications of Calcium Nutrition on the Response of Salvadora persica (Salvadoraceae) to Soil Salinity

Effects of Ca (Ca²⁺) level on the response of germination and seedling growth of Salvadora persica Linn. (Salvadoraceae) to sodium chloride (NaCl) salinity in soil were investigated. Salinity significantly retarded the seed germination and seedling growth, but the injurious effects of NaCl on seed germination were ameliorated and seedling growth was restored with Ca supply at the critical level to salinized soil. Calcium supply above the critical level further retarded the seed germination and seedling growth because of the increased soil salinity. Salt stress reduced nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and Ca content in plant tissues, but these nutrients were restored by addition of Ca at the critical level to saline soil. The opposite was true for sodium (Na⁺). The results are discussed in terms of the beneficial effects of Ca for plant growth under saline conditions.     

EFFECT OF TILLER REMOVAL ON ION CONTENT IN MAINSTEM AND SUBTILLERS OF SPRING WHEAT UNDER MODERATE SALINITY

The reduction in tiller number is a major reason for a decrease in grain yield of wheat. Thus, we hypothesize that the limiting growth of tillering of wheat plant under saline conditions may be due to a different distribution of ions among tillers, which may be tested by tiller removal. Two contrasting spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes were subjected to five levels of detillering treatments under saline or non-saline conditions grown in a greenhouse. Sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), chloride (Cl^?), and nitrate (NO₃ ^?) concentrations in the top leaves of tillers were determined at plant maturity. Regardless of genotypes, the moderate salinity significantly increased the Na⁺ and Cl^? concentrations in the top leaves and the decreased NO₃ ^? in the mainstem, subtillers and whole plant. Potassium and Ca²⁺ concentrations in leaves were not affected or slightly increased by salinity. Under moderate salinity, Na⁺ and/or Ca²⁺ concentrations in mainstem, subtillers and the whole plant were increased with a decrease in tiller removal for both genotypes, while there was almost no effect of tiller removal on Cl^? and NO₃ ^? concentration. The tiller removal increased the tolerance of wheat to tissue Na⁺ content, especially for the salt sensitive genotype. Thus, the salt-specific effects in wheat plant could be alleviated by fewer tillers per plant through the removal for the salt-sensitive genotype. However, our study did not show the competition for the mineral nutrients among tillers under saline conditions. Thus, we speculate that there is a competition for photoassimilates among the tillers under saline conditions, especially for the salt sensitive genotype, which needs to be investigated further.     

Effects of Sodium Chloride and Mineral Nutrients on Initial Stages of Development of Sunflower Life

Abstract

The effects of three levels of salinity [0, 50, and 100 mM of sodium chloride (NaCl)] and the addition of potassium, calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, manganese, and boron (K, Ca, N, P, Fe, Mn, and B) on seed germination and survival of Helianthus annuus L. plants grown in an inert medium were studied. Increasing levels of salinity significantly decreased germination percentage. The presence of NaCl affected seedling survival rather than germination. Nitrogen addition damaged seedling growth, especially in high saline conditions. Addition of some nutrients may alleviate the effects induced by NaCl. Calcium additions to the culture medium significantly improved germination percentage and seedling survival, which markedly decreased after addition of K and B under saline conditions. Iron addition, especially in the ferrous form, counteracted the effects of salinity on seed germination and seedling survival. Phosphorus addition showed detrimental effects on germination and especially in seedling survival; however, it benefited the surviving seedling's growth.     

Salinity tolerance of earthworms and effects of salinity and vermi amendments on growth of Sorghum bicolor

Salinity is a major factor limiting irrigated agriculture in arid regions. Vermi amendments can be used for improving the fertility of salt-affected soils. Current study was aimed to find out the response of different earthworm species to soil salinity and to check the effects of salinity and different vermi amendments on growth of Sorghum bicolor under salt stress. Eight earthworm species were subjected to different salinity levels for 4 weeks. Various vermi amendments and salinity treatments were provided in a factorial combination to S. bicolor plants to see their effect on growth and biomass parameters. L. mauritii, E. incommodus and P. posthuma were found to be the most salt-tolerant species showing good survival and growth till soil EC_e value of 10.48 mS cm^?1. Results showed that salinity significantly decreased plant growth that was enhanced by the application of different vermi amendments. Maximum growth of S. bicolor was recorded when vermicompost and vermiwash were used together under both saline and non-saline conditions. The results showed that the application of vermi amendments improved nutritional balance of the soil, delayed salt-induced damage to the plants and supported their growth so can be helpful in increasing crop production on saline soils.     

Seed Treatment to Overcome Salt and Drought Stresses During Germination in Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Although safflower is drought and salt tolerant, it is susceptible to drought and salinity at the germination and seedling stages. Priming techniques have been used to overcome salinity and drought tolerance at germination stage. Osmopriming potassium nitrate (KNO₃) and hydropriming were used to determine drought [by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-6000 at water potentials of 0, ?0.3 and ?0.6 MPa] and salt electrical conductivity (EC) (values of the sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions were 0, 6 and 12 ds.m^?1) tolerance of primed seeds of safflower. Germination index, shoot/root ration, germination uniformity, days to 50% germination (D50) and abnormal germination percentage were measured. Treatment 0f seeds with hydropriming increased germination index, shoot/root ration and germination uniformity, while decrease days to 50% germination under salt and water stress. Seed treated with KNO₃ reduced abnormal germination percentage in salt stress. KNO₃ improved germination uniformity and germination index of the low water potentials. As salinity increased, germination index and shoot/root ration were decreased, while germination uniformity, days to 50% germination and abnormal germination percentage were increased. Hydropriming enhanced germination under both salt and drought stresses and non-stress conditions. Therefore, hydropriming could be used to improved seed performance of safflower under saline and drought stress. This treatment dose not needs expensive chemicals or sophisticated equipment.     

Effect of Piriformospora indica and Azospirillum strains from saline or non-saline soil on mitigation of the effects of NaCl

Salinity toxicity is a worldwide agricultural and eco-environmental problem. The intent of this study was to determine the salt tolerance of Piriformospora indica and strains of Azospirillum, isolated from non-saline and saline soil, as well as to determine their affect on the tolerance of wheat to soil salinity. In this study, an experiment was conducted to investigate the salt stress tolerance abilities of the endophytic fungi, P. indica, and Azospirillum strains, isolated from non-saline and saline soil, at five NaCl levels (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 mol L^?1). Additionally, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to test the effects of these selected microorganisms under increasing salinity levels on seedling growth, solute accumulation (proline and sugars), and photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, b, ab) of seedling wheat. Azospirillum strains were isolated in Iran from the root of field-grown maize from non-saline soil with an EC = 0.7 dS m^?1 and from saline soil with an EC = 4.7 dS m^?1. Plants were irrigated with non-saline water–tap water with an electrical conductivity water (ECw) value of 0.2 dS m^?1, as well as low, moderate and severe saline water-irrigation with saline water with an ECw of 4 dS m^?1, 8 dS m^?1 and 12 dS m^?1, respectively. The upper threshold of P. indica salinity tolerance was 0.4 mol L^?1 NaCl in both liquid and solid broth medium. The upper thresholds of the salt adapted and non-adapted Azospirillum strains were 0.2 and 0.4 mol L^?1 NaCl, respectively. The results indicated a positive influence of the organisms on salinity tolerance, more with the saline-adapted Azospirillum strains than the non-adapted strains. P. indica was more effective than the Azospirillum strains. These results could be related to a better water status, higher photosynthetic pigment contents and proline accumulation in wheat seedlings inoculated with P. indica. The benefits of both isolates and P. indica depended on two factors: water salinity and growth stage of the host plant. Inoculation with the two isolates increased salinity tolerance of wheat plants; the saline-adapted Azospirillum strains showed better performance with respect to improved fresh and dry weights at 80 and 100 days after sowing under both non-saline and saline conditions. When compared to plants inoculated with non-saline-adapted Azospirillum strains, those inoculated with adapted Azospirillum strains had much better performance with respect to the presence of photosynthetic pigment (Chl a, b and ab) and proline accumulation. Overall, these results indicate that the symbiotic association between P. indica fungus and wheat plants improved wheat growth, regardless of the salinity. It is concluded that the mechanisms for protecting plants from the detrimental effects of salinity by P. indica fungus and Azospirillum strains may differ in their salinity tolerance and influence the uptake of water, photosynthetic pigment contents and proline accumulation in wheat seedlings.     

Phytotoxic effects of wheat extracts on a herbicide-resistant biotype of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum)

Thirty-nine wheat accessions were used to evaluate their extract phytotoxicity against annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.). Aqueous extracts of wheat shoot residues significantly inhibited the germination and root growth of a biotype of annual ryegrass resistant to herbicides of acetyl CoA carboxylase inhibitors (group A), acetolactate synthase inhibitors (B), photosystem II inhibitors (C), and tubulin formation inhibitors (D). The germination of the herbicide resistant (HR) biotype was inhibited by 3-100%, depending upon the wheat accession. The phytotoxic effects on ryegrass root growth ranged from 12% stimulation to 100% inhibition, compared to a control. The germination and root growth of a herbicide-susceptible (HS) biotype of annual ryegrass were also inhibited by the wheat extracts, with germination inhibited by 4-100%, and root growth by 19-100%. Bioassays with two known wheat allelochemicals showed that p-coumaric acid and propionic acid significantly inhibited the growth of both HR and HS biotypes of annual ryegrass. The two compounds completely inhibited the root growth of HR ryegrass at concentrations greater than 5.0 mM. In comparison with p-coumaric acid, propionic acid was more inhibitory to seed germination, shoot, and root growth of both ryegrass biotypes. The root growth of the HR biotype was more sensitive when exposed to wheat extracts, to p-coumaric acid, and to propionic acid. The results suggest that residues of certain wheat cultivars with strong allelopathic potential could provide a nonherbicidal alternative for the management of herbicide-resistant weed species.     

Evaluating the effectiveness of biofertilizer on salt tolerance of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

In the present study, the effectiveness of biofertilizer containing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria was evaluated on growth and physiology of cotton under saline conditions. Cotton plants were exposed to different levels of NPK (50%, 75%, and 100% of recommended levels) along with coating with biofertilizer under saline (15 dS m^?1) and non-saline conditions. It was observed that the biofertilizer seed coating improved growth, physiological (relative water content and chlorophyll content index), and ionic (K⁺/Na⁺) characteristics under saline and non-saline conditions. However, shoot growth (shoot fresh and dry weight) and leaf gas exchange characteristics (CO₂ assimilation rate, A; intercellular CO₂ concentration, C_i; transpiration rate, E; stomatal conductance, g_s) were decreased by biofertilizer coating under saline condition. Increasing levels of NPK fertilizer increased shoot growth, whereas root growth was maximum at 75% NPK level under saline conditions. The results of the study indicate that the biofertilizer application was very effective for cotton plant in non-saline conditions but not very effective in saline conditions.     

Physiological response of sunflower seedlings to salinity and potassium supply

Abstract

Sunflower seeds (Helianthus annutis L. cv. Dwarf) were grown only with increasing saline solutions [0, 50, and 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCl)] and potassium (K) supply to determine how salinity and K supply will affect plant germination and growth. Potassium supply under highly saline conditions (100 mM) or nonsaline conditions had a beneficial effect on sunflower seedlings germination which was not significantly altered with moderate salt concentrations (50 mM). During the stage studied, K supply in the absence of salinity increased significantly seedling biomass which reflects what is happening in the aerial part and root. This increase was proportionally higher in the stem than in the leaf with no variations in the foliar surface. In a saline environment, K supply did not markedly alter plant dry matter production, but increased foliar surface with moderate salt concentrations (50 mM) in the root environment.     

盐分胁迫对林木种子发芽率的影响研究

试验研究盐分胁迫对林木种子发芽率的影响结果表明 ,NaCl和NaCl KCl 2种盐分对林木种子发芽率和苗木生长均有一定抑制作用 ;随盐分浓度的提高而发芽率逐渐下降 ,幼苗生长呈相同趋势。与复合盐分相比 ,单一盐分对种子发芽和苗木生长抑制作用更强 ,表明K 可一定程度缓解Na 的危害 ,并提出耐盐指数概念     

Use of Bioinoculants in Ameliorative Effects on Radish Plants Under Salinity Stress

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) on emergence, growth, physiology, and mineral content of radish under salinity stress. The study was conducted in pot experiments using a mixture of soil: sand (1:1 v: v) under greenhouse conditions. Bacillus subtilis EY2, Bacillus atrophaeus EY6, and Bacillus spharicus GC subgrup B EY30 were isolated in highly salty soils in Upper Coruh Valley in Turkey. Seeds were soaked in the bacterial suspension incubated at 27°C for 2 h. Emergence percentage (EP) was reduced and mean emergence time (MET) raised with sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions. Inoculated seeds displayed greater EP and less MET compared to the non-inoculated ones. Salinity negatively affected growth of radish; however, plant growth promoting bacteria treatments positively affected growth parameters such as fresh weight (278% for shoot, 371% for root) and dry weights (250% for shoot, 422% for root) compared to non-treated plants that were challenged with salt stress. Furthermore, selected bacteria caused an increase in uptake of minerals except sodium (Na) compared to the non-treated controls in both salt stress and salt stress absence. Sodium concentration of plant leaves was increased by salt stress while bacterial inoculation decreased its concentration. Bacterial treatments increased chlorophyll content and decreased electrolyte leakage of plants in saline conditions. Leaf relative water content (LRWC) of plants in the salt stress condition increased with bacterial application, but reduced without bacterial application. The present study suggests that PGPB seed treatments can ameliorate the deleterious effects of salt stress on radish plants and PGPB could offer an economical and simple application to reduce problems of radish production in an Aridisol caused by high salinity.     

冬季咸水结冰灌溉下滨海重盐碱地土壤水盐动态及对棉花出苗和产量的影响

在河北省滨海区,连续3年对当地的盐碱地进行了冬季咸水结冰灌溉,并对土壤的耕层水盐动态、棉花出苗和产量以及植株的盐离子状况进行了观测。结果表明:利用矿化度为8.15~14.27 g.L 1、灌水量为180mm的地下咸水,对滨海盐碱地进行冬季结冰灌溉,后期结合地膜覆盖可显著降低土壤盐分含量和提高土壤含水量。咸水结冰灌溉处理2009—2011年棉花播种期土壤盐分含量分别为0.32%、0.29%和0.17%,土壤含水量分别为26.2%、25.0%和24.2%,保证了棉花正常出苗,3年的棉花出苗率均达到85%以上。结冰灌溉年限越长越有利于土壤盐分的淋洗。苗期棉花根、茎和叶片Na+含量比对照降低57.6%~64.5%,而相应的K+和Ca2+含量显著高于对照(不灌溉不覆膜处理)棉苗,避免了对苗期棉花的单盐伤害。随着当地雨季的来临,棉田耕层土壤可实现周年脱盐,保证了棉花的正常生长,籽棉产量达到2 643.8~3 607.7 kg.hm 2,并且3年的产量呈逐年上升趋势,实现了滨海重盐碱区水土资源的高效利用和棉花丰产。     

Vermicompost Leachate as a Promising Agent for Priming and Rejuvenation of Salt-Treated Germinating Seeds in Brassica Napus

Salinity is a major constraint hampering germination and early seedling growth, especially in aged seed lots. Any rejuvenation treatment improving salt resistance at these crucial developmental stages will be of special interest. Two sets of experiments were performed in Brassica napus to precise the impact of vermicompost leachate (VCL) on seed germination in the presence of NaCl and to analyze its putative interest as seed priming agent before NaCl exposure. Two seed lots were used: one old seed lot (cv. Libomir) and a recent one (cv. Harry). VCL increased the germination percentage of aged seeds in the absence of NaCl and increased seedling length in both cultivars. VCL had only a minor impact when directly added to the NaCl-containing germinating solution. In contrast, priming with VCL strongly improved subsequent germination in the presence of NaCl in relation to a more efficient management of oxidative stress in both cultivars. The improvement of salinity resistance provided by VCL priming was not due to modification in ion or proline content. It is concluded that VCL may act as a rejuvenation agent invigoring old seed lots and as an efficient priming agent for improvement of salinity resistance at the germination stage. Valuable properties of VCL are discussed in relation to the simultaneous presence of several protecting compounds.     

不同苜蓿品种种子发芽对盐胁迫的响应

[目的]针对内蒙古西部地区草地土壤盐碱化,选择盐碱土壤的主要成分NaCl和Na_2SO_4配成混合盐溶液进行室内发芽试验,筛选适合当地种植的耐盐苜蓿品种,为内蒙古西部盐碱草场的苜蓿种植提供理论依据。[方法]将NaCl和Na_2SO_4按摩尔浓度1∶1,用蒸馏水配成含盐量0.0%,0.2%,0.4%,0.6%,0.8%,1.0%,1.2%,1.4%,1.6%,1.8%,2.0%共11个梯度盐溶液,对25个苜蓿品种进行发芽试验,测定种子发芽率、相对发芽指数、种子相对简易活力指数,进行耐盐类型的划分。[结果]轻度盐分胁迫(0.2%和0.4%盐浓度)促进了苜蓿种子发芽,提高了种子的发芽率、相对发芽指数、种子相对简易活力指数;不同苜蓿品种间种子发芽的适宜盐浓度、半致死浓度、极限浓度差异较大。多数苜蓿品种的种子发芽适宜盐浓度是0.0%~0.6%,半致死盐浓度为0.8%,中草3号高达1.4%;极限盐浓度在1.0%~2.0%。[结论]综合聚类分析和种子发芽指标的表现得出,中草3号、新苜2号品种表现出较强的耐盐性,属于耐盐品种,magnumV-wet、赤草1号耐盐性较差,属盐敏感品种     

中国渤海海岸盐碱土及非盐碱土中土壤生物多样性

A plethora of information is available on the effects of salinity on plant growth and soil physico-chemical properties,but the effects on soil organisms are often neglected.Thus,a systematic investigation of how soil biodiversity,including bacteria,nematodes,mites,and earthworms,changes along saline gradients was conducted along the Bohai Sea coast at Laizhou City,Shandong Province,China,with 30 soil samples randomly selected and classified by salinity into two categories:saline and non-saline.Testing revealed a significantly higher abundance of the surveyed organisms in non-saline soils.The redundancy analysis showed that a negative correlation was observed between electrical conductivity and soil organism abundance in saline soil,but not in non-saline soil.Soil organic matter,available nitrogen,and total nitrogen all positively affected organism abundance in both saline and non-saline soils.The richness and Shannon diversity of nematodes were significantly higher in non-saline soils,but were not significantly different between soil types for other organisms.None of the environmental factors surveyed was obviously related to soil organism diversity.Consequently,our results suggested that soil electrical conductivity only negatively affected soil organisms in saline soil,while soil fertility positively affected soil organisms in both saline and non-saline soils.     

Salinity and Temperature Effects on Seed Germination of Milk Thistle

Abstract

Milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn] is an annual plant belonging to the Asteraceae family whose ripe seeds contain flavonoid substances, which are important in the modern pharmaceutical industry. Seed germination is a major factor limiting the establishment of plants under saline conditions. The effect of salinity and temperatures on germination and seedling establishment was studied in two genotypes of milk thistle, an Iranian wild type and German (Royston) type in the laboratory and in the field. Experiments were done with seven salt concentrations [0.1 (control), 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 dS/m] and three temperatures (15, 25, and 35°C). There were three replications for each treatment, and the experiment was run three times. The results showed that the percentage of germination and the number of normal seedlings at different salt treatment at 15°C were higher than at 25 or 35°C. The mean time to 50% germination was least at this temperature for both genotypes. Results suggested all germination indices and seedling emergence (50%) were achieved at levels up to 9 dS/m salinity at 15°C. Also, seeds at a salinity of 9–15 dS/m will germinate and up to 25% of the control nonstress treatment could emerge at the low temperature of 15°C.     

腐殖酸对NaCl胁迫下梭梭种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

[目的] 探究腐殖酸对NaCl胁迫下梭梭种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响,为干旱矿区生态修复提供技术支持。[方法] 设置5个NaCl盐胁迫浓度,5个腐殖酸添加浓度,观测梭梭种子萌发以及幼苗生长指标,分析腐殖酸对梭梭种子萌发及其幼苗生长的耐盐性。[结果] 施用适量腐殖酸能显著提高种子萌发率,缓解梭梭种子萌发过程中的盐胁迫,促进初生根生长,降低盐胁迫对幼苗的伤害。在1.0 mol/L NaCl条件下,腐殖酸为700 mg/kg时缓解效果最好,与对照相比梭梭发芽率、发芽势、根长、幼根鲜质量和幼根干质量分别提高10%,11.12%,1.77 cm,4.84 mg和4.03 mg。[结论] 腐殖酸可作为干旱矿区生态修复中种子萌发和幼苗生长的一种盐渍土调节剂,具有较好的应用潜力。     

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。