Significant improvement of salt tolerance with 2-day acclimatization treatment in Elaeagnus oxycarpa seedlings

► Osmotic stress acclimatization was applied to enhance the salt tolerance of seedling. ► We added polyethylene glycol (PEG) to culture solution for 2 days. ► Survival rate under salt stress was significantly improved with the PEG treatment. ► Increments of the leaf sugars and Ca2+ contents were observed. ► Photosynthesis and Fv/Fm were maintained under salinity in the PEG-treated seedling.