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Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions ›› 2017, Vol. 9 ›› Issue (2): 158-166.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1226.2017.00158

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Effects of salt and alkali stress on Reaumuria soongorica germination

Fang Wang1,1, HongLang Xiao1, XiaoMei Peng2   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Eco-hydrology of Inland River Basin, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, CAS, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China;
    2. Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi 723000, China
  • Received:2016-10-01 Revised:2017-01-17 Published:2018-11-23
  • Contact: Fang Wang, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences. No. 320, West Donggang Road, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, China. Tel: +86-931-4967154; E-mail: fanghappy 2002@163.com E-mail:fanghappy 2002@163.com
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41401043, 91125025).

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Abstract: Seed germination and early seedling growth are crucial stages for plant establishment. Two neutral (NaCl and Na2SO4) and two alkali (NaHCO3 and Na2CO3) salts were selected to investigate their effects on germination and recovery responses in Reaumuria soongorica. Results show that both salt types significantly reduced germination and radicle elongation. The rate of germination and emergence of R. soongorica seeds continuously decreased as salinity increased, and the time to achieve maximum germination rate was delayed. The speed of seed germination dropped rapidly as salt concentration increased. Alkaline salts restricted the germination rate of R. soongorica seeds, and stresses resulting from alkaline salts and high concentrations of neutral salts resulted in many deformed seedlings. The length of the radicle and germ decreased with increasing salt concentration, but certain concentrations of salt and increased pH promoted germ growth. The results of regression analysis show that salt concentration was the dominant factor inhibiting R. soongorica seed germination rate. Salinity, buffering capacity, and pH all affected embryo growth, but salinity had the most pronounced effect. Seed viability under highly saline conditions appears to be a better indicator of adaptation to saline environments than seed germination under saline conditions.

Key words: alkali stress, salt stress, germination, recovery, Reaumuria soongorica

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