Effect of osmotic and salinity stresses on germination and seedling growth indices of artichoke (Cynara scoolymus) and purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Student of Agroecology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran

3 PhD Students of Crop Physiology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran

4 PhD Students of Crop Ecology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran

5 M.Sc. Student of Agroecology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhadو ]قشد

Abstract

In order to study the effects of osmotic and salinity stresses on germination and seedling growth indices of Artichoke and Purple coneflower, four separate laboratory experiments were conducted as completely randomized design with four replications at Crop Physiology Laboratory of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during 2009. Treatments were eight levels of osmotic stress (0, -2, -4, -6, -8, -10, -12 and -14 bar) using PEG 6000 for first and second experiments and six levels of salinity stress using NaCl (0, -1, -3, -5, -7 and -9 bar) for third and fourth experiments. Results showed that Artichoke was more resistant than Purple coneflower to osmotic and salinity stresses. Germination percentages of Artichoke and Purple coneflower were 72 and 5% in -10 bar osmotic stress, respectively; while germination percentages of Artichoke and Purple coneflower were 75 and 8% in -5 bar salinity stress, respectively. Increasing osmotic stress severity increased mean germination time of Artichoke, while the effect of different osmotic stress levels was not significant on mean germination time of Purple coneflower. Radicle / plumule length ratio was increased by increasing osmotic and salinity levels in Artichoke, while this ratio was not varied by osmotic stress and was decreased by salinity stress in Purple Coneflower. Moreover, seedling dry weight was decreased by increasing osmotic and salinity stress in both medicinal plants. Overall, it seems that germination indices and seedling growth in Artichoke were superior to Purple coneflower under stress conditions.

Keywords

Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences
Volume 3, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
February 2011
Pages 165-176

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History

  • Receive Date: 18 July 2011
  • Revise Date: 12 September 2011
  • Accept Date: 21 December 2011

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