Abstract:

Dodonaea viscosa Linn is an important medicinal plant that is sensitive to saline soil. In order to well understand the salinity effects on germination and seedling growth of this species, we selected n ine different salinity treatments including CacL2, NaH2Po4 and KNo3 + KH2Po4 each one 100 mM, 200 mM and 300 mM. Seeds of D. viscosa, before the germination in controlled growth chamber, were treated with boiling water and H2SO4. Biomass and germination parameters were measured after 56 days. Results showed that the dry weight of seedling was inhibited by high concentrations of NaH2Po4. The dry and fresh weight of root at level of 100mM KNo3+KH2Po4 was higher than that of other treatments. Stem length increased at level of 100mM KNo3+KH2Po4. The fresh weight of seedling severely increased at level of 100 mM KNo3+KH2Po4. The seedlings succulence was enhanced to 87 % at level of 100 mM KNo3+KH2Po4. Faster germination was recorded in 100 mM KNo3+KH2Po4. Final germination, germination index and seed stamina were higher than that of other treatments at level of 100 mM KNo3+KH2Po4. Overall, biomass and germination parameters of D. viscosa in unsalinized control were signifi cantly more than that of other salinity treatments except for total dry weight.

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