Germination and seed vigor of Gallesia integrifolia under saline stress

Abstract

Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress factor, adversely affecting many aspects of plants physiology and biochemistry. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of preconditioning seeds of Gallesia integrifolia with potassium nitrate (KNO₃) and sodium nitroprussiate (SNP) under saline stress. Seeds were treated through the preconditioning immersion in solutions with five concentrations of KNO₃ (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg L^-1) and of SNP (0, 0 01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg L^-1) for one hour. Then, they were distributed in previously moistened filter paper sheets with saline solutions in three osmotic potentials (0, -0.6 and -1.2 MPa). The paper rolls were kept in germination chamber type BOD under alternating temperature of 20-30 °C with photoperiod of 8/16 h for 22 days. It was observed that lower osmotic potential resulted in reduction for all variables average. The osmotic potential of -1.2 MPa influenced negatively the germination and vigor of G. integrifolia. KNO₃ and SNP at concentration of 1 mg L^-1 reduces the saline effect in seeds.