Evaluation of germination and vegetative growth of modder (Rubia tinctorum L.) under different levels of NaCl

Document Type : Research Article

Abstract

In orther to study effects of different levels of NaCl (0, 10, 15, 20 dSm-1) on growth characteristicts and physiological aspects of modder (Rubia tincforum L.) two separate examinations with a completely randomized design and four replications were conducted. In the first experiment the effects of different levels of salinity (o, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, dSm-1) on rate and percentage of seed germination and length of seedlings were measured. Results showed that thershold level at which nearly 50% of seeds did not germinate was 10 dSm-1. In the other examination, salinity levels were imposed by applying solutions of NaCl in Hogland medium circulated in a sand culture closed system. Criteria such as chlorophyll meter number (SPAD readings), stomatal resistance, specific leaf weight, leaf area, stem/root length ratio were measured or calculated. Althought results showed that by increasing salinity stomatal resistance and specific leaf weight were reduced, the amount of the other characteristics were reduced.

20.1001.1.20081472.1388.7.2.19.9

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