| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4393741 | Journal of Arid Environments | 2011 | 6 Pages |
Soils of arid regions of Central Asia contain salts of different types that may differentially affect seed germination and plant development. We studied effect of NaCl, Na2SO4, 2NaCl + KCl + CaCl2 and 2Na2SO4+K2SO4+MgSO4 on germination of Kochia prostrata and Kochia scoparia seeds under a range of concentrations from 0.5 to 5% and at two constant temperature regimes +22 °C and +6 °C. The observed salt tolerance limit of germination at constant temperature +22 °C for both species was 5–6%, while at low temperature (+6 °C) this limit was 2%. The salt tolerance of young plants (before flowering) was 3% for NaCl. Low concentrations of sulfuric and mixed salts had a stimulating effect on seed germination in K. prostrata. Despite similarity of salt-tolerance limits the studied species showed a significant difference in seed recovery ability, i.e. the ability of ungerminated, salt-soaked seeds to germinate after transfer to fresh water. K. scoparia demonstrated a full germination recovery after seed transfer to distilled water while K. prostrata showed only a partial recovery.
Research highlights► Low concentrations of sulfuric, chloride and mixed salts had a stimulating effect on seed germination in Kochia prostrata and K. scoparia. ► The observed salt tolerance limit of germination at constant temperature +22 °C for both species was 5–6%, while at low temperature (+6 °C) this limit was 2%. The salt tolerance of young plants (before flowering) was 3%. ► Despite similarity of salt-tolerance limits the studied species showed a significant difference in seed recovery ability. K. scoparia demonstrated a full germination recovery after seed transfer to distilled water while K. prostrata showed only a partial recovery.
