SPECIFIC ION EFFECTS ON THE SEED GERMINATION OF SUNFLOWER

Salinity can affect germination of seeds either by creating osmotic potentials that prevent water uptake or by toxic effects of specific ions. This work was carried out to evaluate the germination of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds under increasing salinity by using the most abundant salts in China. Potassium (K⁺), sodium (Na⁺), and calcium (Ca²⁺) contents in hypocotyls were determined on the fifth day. At same concentration of salt solution, the adverse effect of ions is in the following sequence: carbonate radical (CO₃ ^2?) > sulfate radical (SO₄ ^2?), chloride (Cl^?) > bicarbonate radical (HCO₃ ^?), magnesium (Mg²⁺) > Ca²⁺, and Na⁺ > K⁺. The effect of salinity on the germination phase of development is mainly due to its osmotic component other than the ion toxicity. Calcium decreased as increasing of the concentration of salt solutions, and cannot act as the role of enhancing cell division and membrane permeability.