The effect of salinity stress on germination parameters in Satureja thymbra L. (Lamiaceae)

Abstract

Salinity is an important problem all over the world. The destructive effect of salinity is observed from the seed germination stage. In this study, it was aimed to determine the effect of salinity on seed germination of the medically important Satureja thymbra L., whether pre-treatments are a factor in breaking the salinity stress, and to determine the level of salinity tolerance of this species. In the research, firstly, the seeds were exposed to two pre-treatments (80°C (5 minutes) + 10 ppm GA3 (24 hours), 80°C (5 minutes) + 100 ppm GA3 (24 hours)) and then 8 different NaCl concentrations (0.1 g/l, 1 g/l, 2.5 g/l, 5 g/l, 7.5 g/l,10 g/l, 15 g/l and 30 g/l) were tried. Germination seeds were counted every day and the effects of salinity on germination characteristics were investigated. The highest germination percentage (90%) was obtained at 0.1 g/l NaCl after 80°C (5 min.) + 100 ppm GA3 (24 h.) pre-treatment. The results showed that the effect of salinity was significant on germination parameters in p < 0.05. Obtained results showed that the highest NaCl concentration at which Satureja thymbra seed could germinate was 10 g/l.