Effect of Salt Stress on Germination of Satureja hortensis L., Cichorium intybus‌ ‌L. and Cynara scolymus L.

Abstract Soil salinity is one of the most important constraints that limit crop production in arid and semi arid regions. Seed germination is a critical stage in the history of plants and salt tolerance during germination is crucial for the establishment of plants that grow in saline soils. Salinity induced inhibition in germination of Satureja hortensis L. Cichorium intybus L. and Cynara scolymus L. were measured in response to increasing NaCl concentrations. The salinity (NaCl) concentrations in solution were 0 (control), 2, 4, 6 and 8 dS.m-1. Experimental design was completely randomized design with three replications. 100 seeds for each of the four NaCl treatments as well as control were used. Seeds were allowed to germinate in germinator on filter paper in Petri dishes. Salt stress reduced significantly seedling length of Satureja hortensis L. and seedling weight of Cynara scolymus L. Seed germination of Satureja hortensis L. inhibited at high salt concentration (4,6 and 8 dS.m-1) but, induced at low salt concentration (2 dS.m -1). Salt stress had no significant effect on seed germination of Cichorium intybus L. and Cynara scolymus L. Seed germination rate and seed vigor index of Satureja hortensis L. reduced in salt stress treatments. In conclusion, we revealed that germination processes of Satureja hortensis L. were more sensitive to salt stress than the other two species. Keywords: Salinity, Germination, Seedling, Seed vigor, Medicinal plants

Abstract licence: CC BY

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