Effects of Salt on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Three Portulaca Species
Abstract
We have determined the relative tolerance to osmotic/ionic stress of three Portulaca species (P. halimoides, P. grandiflora and P. oleracea) at the seed germination and early seedling development stage. The three species are relatively resistant to stress, although at high concentrations NaCl strongly inhibited germination, whereas at the same osmotic potential PEG did not. Seedling growth was more clearly inhibited, in a concentration-dependent manner, with salt stress showing again a relatively stronger effect. Our data indicate that P. oleracea is the most salt-tolerant of the tested species and therefore the most promising candidate for 'saline agriculture', to be cultivated using low-quality, saline water for irrigation
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