Salinity effects on germination properties of Kochia scoparia

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• M Jami Al-Ahmadi ¹
• M Kafi ²
• M Nasiri mahalati ²

¹ University of Birjand

² Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

10.22067/gsc.v2i2.1249

Abstract

In order to examine seed germination responses of kochia to different levels of salinity, an experiment was performed in the Institute of Sustainable Agriculture (CSIC), Cordoba, Spain, in a completely randomized design with two replications. Treatments were different levels of salinities equal to 0,5, 10, 15, and 20 ds/m, obtained by mixing NaCl and CaCl2 in a 2:1 molar ratio. Evaluated properties were germination percentage, rate and final number of germinated seeds. The results showed that the germinated seed number and the germination percentage had a converse relation with salinity levels. About 91% of seeds were germinated in distilled water. This value reduced to about 36% in 20 ds/m. Increasing salinity up to 10 ds/m did not have any significant effects on germination, but after that, the germination rate and percentage begun to reduce significantly. Salinity also increased the time required for 50% germination from 28 hours in distilled water to 78 hours in 20 ds/m, showing a delay in germination as salinity increased. Regarding linear reduction in germination rate in response to increase in salinity, it seems that as salinity exceeds 30 ds/m, germination rate of kochia approaches zero. This perhaps could be accepted as the threshold of kochia germination tolerance to salinity. According to the results, the germination stage of kochia has a good tolerance to elevated levels of salinity and it seems that a good stand establishment in saline soils and water conditions could be insured, if proper management is exerted in farms.

20.1001.1.20081472.1383.2.2.4.9

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