Impact of Mother Plant Saline Stress on the Agronomical Quality of Pepper Seeds

Abstract

Seed quality has been an important factor in achieving high germination and uniform growth rates in agricultural crops. Meanwhile, pepper plants are moderately sensitive to salt stress at electrical conductivity (EC) in the nutrient solution in the range of 1.2-3.0 dS m −1. We are unaware of any studies regarding the effects of mother plant saline stress on the agronomical quality of pepper seeds. We assessed the effects of three levels of electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution used for mother plant fertigation (2.2, 3.5, and 4.5 dS m −1) on the agronomical quality of pepper seeds (Capsicum annuum L. var. California Wonder). We have analyzed the following seed quality traits: (1) size and weight of seeds and number of seeds per fruit, (2) seed germination and vigor, and (3) chemical composition and histological features of mature seeds. The electrical conductivity treatment of 3.5 dS m −1 caused a statistically significant reduction in the seed size and vigor, as well as partial histological damage to seed endosperm. Moreover, the electrical conductivity treatment of 4.5 dS m −1 caused further reduction in the seed agronomical quality and generalized histological damage to seed endosperm. The electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution used for the fertigation of mother pepper plants should be below 3.5 dS m −1. Future studies should be performed to better gauge the effect of nutrient solutions with electrical conductivity in the range of 2.2-3.5 dS m −1 on the seed quality traits.

Effects of Environmental Stresses (Heat, Salt, Waterlogging) on Grain Yield and Associated Traits of Wheat under Application of Sulfur-Coated Urea

“…In another study, Domico et al [11] also reported reduced metabolic activity in the cardoon plant when subjected to long-term and short-term salt stress. The work of Pezo et al further supported our results [12], reporting the reduced crop yield and pepper seed quality under salt stress.…”

“…The productivity of wheat is often unfavorably affected by salt stress, which has been linked to slow growth, changes in reproductive behavior, variations in enzymatic activity, damage to photosynthesis, injury to the ultrastructure of cell components, serotonin deficiency, and oxidative stress [10]. Many studies in the past have revealed the adverse effects of salt stress on the physiological traits of numerous plants, including cardoon genotypes [11], pepper [12], Vicia faba [13], and Olea europea L. [14]. Besides this, drought stress reduces morphological traits, such as leaf size and vegetative growth; physiological traits, such as reduction in photosynthesis and stomatal conductance; and the transpiration rate [15].…”

Salt Tolerance of Sea Flax (Linum maritimum L.), a Rare Species with Conservation Interest in Eastern Spain

“…Similarly, in the facultative desert halophyte Zygophyllum coccineum , better germination, recovery of germination, and seedling development were found in plants from a saline environment than in those from a non-saline area, indicating salt tolerance derived from maternal exposure to salinity [ 57 ]. On the contrary, for typical glycophytes, the growth of mother plants under saline conditions generally has a negative effect on their seeds, as reported in different crops and ornamental plants [ 58 , 59 , 60 ].…”

Metal phytotoxicity thresholds in copper smelter-contaminated soils

“…Soil samples were moistened with distilled water and placed in the experimental containers; 50 seeds of Lolium perenne L. were sown and covered with a 0.5 cm layer of soil. Seed germination was good (77%) as measured using standard protocols (Pezo et al 2020).…”