Exploring the Impact of Salinity Stress on Germination and Growth Parameters of Sunn Hemp Seeds (Crotalaria juncea)
Subject Areas :
1 - دانشجوی دکتری، گروه زراعت و اصلاح نباتات، دانشکده کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی دانشگاه محقق اردبیلی، اردبیل ، ایران
2 - استاد، فیزیولوژی گیاهان زراعی، گروه آموزشی مهندسی تولید و ژنتیک گیاهی، دانشکده کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی، دانشگاه محقق اردبیلی، اردبیل،
Keywords: Germination indicators, Osmotic potential, Seed, Sodium chloride and Stress,
Abstract :
Seed germination is a critical stage in the life cycle of plants and can be influenced by various environmental stresses. Salinity stress is known as one of the most important challenges of agricultural systems, which as a result of human activities and climate changes continuously affects agricultural production. In 2023, a research study was conducted at the Seed Technology Laboratory of the Department of Production Engineering and Plant Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, to investigate the impact of salinity stress on the germination and growth parameters of sunn hemp seeds (Crotalaria juncea). The study employed a randomized complete design (RCD) with three replications. Salinity stress was induced using sodium chloride (NaCl) to prepare six osmotic potentials, zero, -0.2, -0.4, -0.8, -1.2, and -2 MPa, as determined by the Van't Hoff equation. The findings revealed significant reductions in germination percentage, germination rate, mean time of germination, mean rate of germination, coefficient of velocity of germination, germination index, radicle length, plumule length, and seedling fresh weight as the salinity osmotic potentials became more negative. Notably, at osmotic potentials of -2 and -1.2 MPa, seed germination percentages dropped to 100% and 43% respectively. These results demonstrate that sunn hemp seeds can tolerate salinity stress up to an osmotic potential of -0.4 MPa. However, as the salinity osmotic potential increases beyond this threshold (-0.4 MPa), their ability to germinate and survive diminishes.
