Seed Germination and Initial Growth of Quinoa Seedlings Under Water and Salt Stress

Abstract

Excessive amounts of salts and soil water deficiency interfere on seed germination and the full development of several crops. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of water stress and salinity on the germination process and initial growth of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) seedlings. In the first experiment, two quinoa seed lots with different physiological conditions were distributed on paper soaked in aqueous solution containing polyethylene glycol PEG-6000 in osmotic potentials corresponding to 0.0; -0.1; -0.2; -0.3 and -0.4 MPa and held at 20 °C under 8 hours of light exposition. In the second experiment, solutions of sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) and magnesium chloride (MgCl 2 ) were used to simulate the effect of salinity using the osmotic potentials, temperature and light conditions previously described. Assessed parameters were the germination percentage, first count, length and dry mass of seedlings. There was a reduction in quinoa germination percentage, first seed count and seedling length as the osmotic potential decreased in CaCl 2 , NaCl, KCl, MgCl 2 and PEG-6000 solutions. The quinoa seeds exhibited higher tolerance to NaCl and KCl salts in the germination process and initial seedling growth. The progressive reduction of the osmotic potential induced by salts NaCl, KCl, CaCl 2 , MgCl 2 and PEG-6000 negatively affects seed germination and initial growth of quinoa seedlings.

Effect of salt stress on germination and initial development of Ruta graveolens L

“…In another study with four distinct osmotic agents (CaCl 2 , KCl, MgCl 2 , and NaCl), Stefanello et al (2019) concluded that chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) were sensitive to exposure to different salts with osmotic potential between -0.1 and -0.4 MPa, which was observed by decreased germination and vigor. Similarly, Barbieri et al (2019) found that the progressive reduction in osmotic potential induced by NaCl, KCl, CaCl 2 and MgCl 2 salts negatively affected seed germination and initial growth of quinoa seedlings (Chenopodium quinoa Willd. ).…”

Does nitric oxide protect Eucalyptus urophylla seeds under salt stress conditions?

“…In response to salt stress, production of ROSs, as singlet oxygen, superoxide, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide, is enhanced (Gupta and Huang, 2014;Du et al, 2015;Kaiser et al, 2016; leading to oxidative damage in various cell components, such as proteins, lipids, and DNA, interrupting vital cell functions of the plants (Liu et al, 2018;). In addition, the high concentration of Na + inhibits capture of K + ions, which is an essential element for growth, and this results in lower yield and may even lead to death (Barbieri et al, 2019).…”

Protective action of priming agents on Urochloa brizantha seeds under water restriction and salinity conditions

“…The increase in salinity brings about changes in plant capacity in taking up, transporting, and using the ions necessary for plant development and reduces the activity of enzymes responsible for respiration and photosynthesis (Gupta et al, 2014;Du et al, 2015;Silva et al, 2019). Thus, obtaining energy for development and differentiation of cells in plant tissue is restricted (Kaiser et al, 2016;Barbieri et al, 2019;Silva et al, 2019). Consequently, knowing how forage plant seeds respond under these conditions is important, especially because of the strong expansion of this crop in various regions of Brazil and around the world, not only for raising livestock but also for intercropping and in providing straw cover in the no-till system (ABIEC, 2019; ABRASEM, 2018).…”

“…One of the methods used to determine plant tolerance to water stress is assessment of the germination capacity of seeds under water restriction with polyethylene glycol (PEG), which is an effective technique since this inorganic compound reduces the osmotic potential of the solution and conducts controlled restriction in seed imbibition without causing toxicity (Pereira et al, 2012;Barbieri et al, 2019).…”

“…Studies related to the germination response of seeds under artificial stress conditions assist in understanding the survival and adaptation capacity of the species under the conditions of natural stresses common in agricultural and forest regions (Bhanuprakash and Yogeesha, 2016;Barbieri et al, 2019;Saberali and Moradi, 2019). In addition, techniques that aim at reducing the risks to which seeds are exposed in the field are increasingly under study.…”