BEAR1, a bHLH transcription factor, controls seedling growth by regulating gibberellins biosynthesis in rice

The genetic pathways of rice seedling growth have a major impact on seedling emergence from soil and development.In this study,we identified a new bHLH transcription factor,BEAR1,from rice RNAi mutant library.Both the BEAR1-RNAi and bear1 CRISPR mutants had accelerated seedling growth.Histological section of leaves showed accelerated development of lacuna and vascular bundles in bear1 mutant.GUS staining revealed that BEAR1 was highly expressed in coleoptiles and leaves at seedling stage.Expression analysis of gibberellin(GA)biosynthesis and metabolic genes and content determination of active GAs indicated that the expression of GA biosynthesis genes,especially OsKS4 and OsCPS2,were upregulated and the GAs content were significantly increased in bear1,which correlated with the seedling phenotype of bear1 mutant.Molecular and biochemical assays revealed that BEAR1 directly binds to the promoter of OsKS4,thereby repressing its expression.Haplotypes analysis showed clear differentiation in indica and japonica rice varieties,and a strong correlation with seedling height.These findings provide novel insights into the regulation of seedling growth in rice.

ZmDRR206 functions in maintaining cell wall integrity during maize seedling growth and defense response to external stresses

Plants adaptively change their cell wall composition and structure during their growth,development,and interactions with environmental stresses.Dirigent proteins(DIRs)contribute to environmental adaptations by dynamically reorganizing the cell wall and/or by generating defense compounds.A maize DIR,ZmDRR206,was previously reported to play a dominant role in regulation of storage nutrient accumulation in endosperm during maize kernel development.Here we show that ZmDRR206 mediates maize seedling growth and disease resistance by coordinately regulating biosynthesis of cell wall components for cell-wall integrity(CWI)maintenance.Expression of ZmDRR206 was induced in maize seedlings upon pathogen infection.ZmDRR206 overexpression in maize resulted in reduced seedling growth and photosynthetic activity but increased disease resistance and drought tolerance,revealing a tradeoff between growth and defense.Consistently,ZmDRR206 overexpression reduced the contents of primary metabolites and down-regulated genes involved in photosynthesis,while increasing the contents of major cell wall components,defense phytohormones,and defense metabolites,and up-regulated genes involved in defense and cell-wall biosynthesis in seedlings.ZmDRR206-overexpressing seedlings were resistant to cell-wall stress imposed by isoxaben,and ZmDRR206 physically interacted with ZmCesA10,which is a cellulose synthase unit.Our findings suggest a mechanism by which ZmDRR206 coordinately regulates biosynthesis of cell-wall components for CWI maintenance during maize seedling growth,and might be exploited for breeding strong disease resistance in maize.

Effects of Exogenous GA_3 on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Salicornia europaea L. under Salt Stress

[Objective] The paper was to study the effects of exogenous GA3 on seed germination and seedling growth of Salicornia europaea L.under salt stress.[Method] With the combination of different concentrations of NaCl（50,100,150,200,250,300,350,400 mmol/L）with 10 μmol /L GA3 treatments,the effects of exogenous GA3 on seed germination and seedling growth of S.europaea under salt stress were studied.[Result] Exogenous GA3 promoted the seed germination rate,germination capacity,germination index and seed vigor index of S.europaea under salt stress.Under the treatment of exogenous GA3,the root system vigor,the lengths of roots and stems and the salt-tolerance of S.europaea were higher than that of single salt stress treatment.[Conclusion] Within a certain concentration range,exogenous GA3 could alleviate the inhibition effects of salt stress on seed germination and seedling growth of S.europaea.

Effects of Pb Stress on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Two Weed Species Seeds

Objective] The aim was to investigate the effects of Pb stress on seed germination and seedling growth of Chenopodium glaucum and Chenopodium serot-inum L. [Method] With C. glaucum and C. serotinum as the study objects, the ef-fects of different concentrations of Pb on their seed germination and seedling growth, as wel as on the leaf SOD, POD and CAT activity were studied primarily. [Result] The germination potential of both the two kinds of weed seeds increased first and then decreased with the increase of Pb concentration. The germination po-tential of C. serotinum and C. glaucum seeds reached the peak at Pb concentration of 25 and 50 mg/L, respectively. With the increase of Pb treatment concentration, the germination rate, germination index and vigor index of C. serotinum and C. glaucum seeds decreased, and their bud length and root length also reduced gradu-al y. ln overal , the leaf SOD, POD and CAT activity of C. glaucum and C. serot-inum_ seedlings increased first and then decreased with the increased treatment concentration of Pb. The leaf SOD and POD activity of C. glaucum and C. serot-inum seedlings reached the maximum at Pb concentration of 200 and 100 mg/L, respectively, and the leaf CAT activity reached the maximum at Pb concentration of 100 mg/L. [Conclusion] The two Chenopodium species had strong tolerance to Pb stress, and they could be used as alternative accumulator plants of soil Pb contami-nation.

Effects of Cadmium Stress on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Brassica napus L.

To investigate the effects of the heavy metal cadmium （Cd） on seed ger- mination and seedling growth of Brassica napus L., 25 B. napus lines with different genetic background were treated with four concentrations （0, 1, 5 and 10 mg/L） of Cd, and then, their germination potential, germination rate, seedling length, main root length, seedling fresh weight, and seedling dry weight were measured. The re- sults showed that the response of the B. napus lines to Cd stress was different. With the increase of Cd concentration, the relative germination potential and relative seedling rate increased first and then decreased, and reached the maximum levels when the Cd concentration was 5 rag/L. The inhibitory effects of Cd stress on seedling growth indices in a decreasing order were root length〉seedling length〉 seedling fresh weight〉seedling water content. There were extremely significant differ- ences in the relative root length, relative seedling length, relative seedling fresh weight and relative seedling water content among the B. napus lines treated by dif- ferent concentrations of Cd, while there were no significant differences in the rela- tive germination potential and relative seedling rate among the lines, except that the relative seedling rate was significantly different among the lines treated by 5 mg/L Cd. The results suggested that seedling growth was more sensitive than seed ger- mination to heavy metal stress.

Effects of Liquid Seaweed Bio-organic Fertilizer on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Vegetables

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer on seed germination and seedling growth of different vegetables. [Method] Serial dilution concentrations of liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer were prepared for seed soaking and pot incubation of cucumber, tomato and chili, to ob- serve the effects of liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer on seed germination and seedling growth of vegetables. [Result] Compared with the control, germination rate of cucumber and tomato seeds applied with 600-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fer- tilizer varied significantly; germination rate of chili seeds applied with 400-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer varied significantly; germination energy and germination index of chili seeds applied with different dilution concentrations of liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer presented no significant differences. In addition, 200-fold and 400-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer significantly improved the root length, plant height, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, chlorophyll content and leaf area of cucumber, tomato and chili seedlings; after treated with 600-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer, root length, chlorophyll content and leaf area of cucumber seedlings varied significantly compared with the control, but no significant differences were observed in plant height, plant fresh weight and plant dry weight; after treated with 600-fold liquid seaweed bio-organic fertilizer, root length, chlorophyll content, plant height, plant fresh weight and plant dry weight of chili and tomato varied sig- nificantly compared with the control, but no significant differences were observed in leaf area. [Conclusion] Soaking vegetable seeds with liquid seaweed bio-organic fer- tilizer can significantly improve seed generation rate and seedling growth.

Effects of Bamboo Vinegar on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Different Flue-cured Tobacco Varieties

[Objective] The present experiment was conducted to study the effects of bamboo vinegar on seed germination and seedling growth of different flue-cured to- bacco varieties, so as to provide some references for its application in tobacco pro- duction. [Method] By using indoor culture dish method and greenhouse seedling- raising plate culture,four different concentrations of bamboo vinegar dilution （50, 100, 200 and 400 times）were designed and clean water was used as the control （CK）. The germination indices of Yunyan 97, Guiyan 2, Jiucaiping 2 and Bina 1 were de- termined after seed germinating. The seedling growth indices of Yunyan 97 were investigated after 10 days of spaying bamboo vinegar on seedling leaves at the 3r~ time. [Result] Compared with CK, different bamboo vinegar dilutions could inhibit the seed germination and seedling growth of all flue-cured tobacco varieties. The seed germination rate and index, vigor index, whole length, root length, stem length and fresh weight of seedlings of all varieties presented decreasing trend to varying de- grees, moreover, most of them reached significant level. Compared with CK, spray- ing different concentrations of bamboo vinegar dilution at the seedling stage could improve the quality of seedlings. In all bamboo vinegar treatments, the plant height, the maximum leaf length and root volume under 100 times dilution treatment were the highest with 3.36 and 10.14 cm, and 0.92 ml, respectively. And the stem girth, dry weight and the maximum leaf width of seedlings under 400 times dilution treat- ment also showed the highest with 1.82 cm, 0.262 g and 5.74 cm, respectively. [Conclusion] Supplying different concentrations of bamboo vinegar solution on culture dish could inhibit the seed germination and seedling growth of flue-cured tobacco, while spraying 100-400 times bamboo vinegar solution to leaves could promote the seedling growth and improve the quality of Yunyan 97 to varying degrees.

Effect of Different Treatments on the Germination and Seedling Growth of Firmiana simplex

With Firmiana simplex （L.） W. F. Wight as an experiment material, the effects of different concentrations of GA3 （Gibberellin A3）, SA （Salicylic acid） and NAA （1-Naphthalene acetic acid） and stratification on the germination rate of seeds were studied firstly, and then the effects of GA3 and NAA on seedling growth were analyzed. The results showed that the germination rate could be improved by 0.075 g/L SA and stratification markedly. It was indicated by the experiment that the growth of the main root and main stem could be promoted by 0.050 g/L and 0.077 g/L NAA, respectively. However, the leaf length and leaf width decreased significantly in the GA3 and NAA treatments.

Effects of Various Phytohormones on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Leymus Chinensis

[Objective] To explore the effects of various phytohormones at different concentrations on the seed germination and seedling growth of Leymus Chinensiss （ L. chinensis）. [ Method ] The seeds of two varieties of L. chinensis were respectively treated with four kinds of phytohormone [ gibbereUin （ GA ）, 2,4-D, naphthalene acetic acid and 6-benzyl aminopurine （6-BA） ] for the observation of seed germination. The seedling growth of natural L. chinensis was observed after the seedlings were respectively treated with these phytohormones. [Result] The germination percentage of L. chinensis was promoted by the GAs and 6-BA at low concentration and inhibited by these two kinds of phytohormone at high concentration. Moreover, they promoted the seedling growth of L. chinensis, and the GA3 had better effect. However, the NAA and 2,4-D at any concentration inhibited the seed germination and seedling growth of L. chinensis. [ Conclusion] The various phytohormones have different effects on the seed germination and seedling growth of L. chinensis.

Allelopathic effects of extracts from Solidago canadensis L. against seed germination and seedling growth of some plants

To investigate the potential role of allelopathy in plant interference and in the successful invasion of alien species Solidago canadensis, aqueous and ethanolic extracts from rhizomes, stems and leaves of S. canadensis were prepared and used as treatment solutions to assess their effects on seed germination and seedling growth in four target species, mulberry （Morus alba）; morning glory （Pharbitis nil）, wheat （Triticum aestivum） and rape （Brassiea campestris）. Reduction and/or growth in germination and growth of the target plant species in the presence of both aqueous and ethanolic extracts at different concentrations indicated that the responses were species-specific and concentration-dependent. Generally, ethanolic extracts （especially from leaves） imposed stronger effects on both seed germination and seedling growth. Extracts with lower concentration at 0.001 g/ml dw could stimulate the seedling growth of rape and morning glory, whereas extracts at any given concentrations have inhibitory effects on wheat and mulberry. It is suggested that the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of all the three parts of S. canadensis have significant allelopathic effects. Although both inhibition and stimulation occurred in the germination and growth of the target species, extracts with higher concentrations definitely inhibit seed germination and seedling growth of all target plants. We suggest that allelopathy plays a more important role than other mechanisms do in the out-competition ofS. canadensis over other plants, and make it invasive in new habitats.

Effect of electrostatic field on seed germination and seedling growth of Sorbus pohuashanesis

A study was conducted to determine the effects of electrostatic field （ESF） treatment on seed germination and seedling growth of Sorbus pohuashanesis. The experiments were arranged by uniform design computed by the Data Processing System （DPS）, including three levels of seeds soaking time, four levels of ESF intensity and four levels of ESF treatment time, with 12 treatments. Ten seeds were used in each treatment with three replicates. Seed vigor, seed germinating ability, emergence rate of seedling, survival rate of seedling, and seedling height and diameter, as well as the change in activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, soluble protein contents, total chlorophyll contents, soluble total sugar contents in leaves of S. pohuashanensis seedlings were measured after ESF treatments. The experiment results show that ESF treatment could improve the water absorption ability of dry seeds of S. pohuashanensis, resulting in fast germination at room temperature under light conditions. Combined treatment of ESF with cold stratification could increase seed germination percentage significantly （to 42.20%）, promote seedling height growth, affect leaf SOD activity, and could raise contents of total chlorophyll, soluble protein, and total soluble sugar in leaves. Seed soaking time had a significant effect on seed relative electroconductivity, seed germination under light, SOD activity, soluble protein content and total soluble sugar content of seedling leaves. ESF intensity exerted a moderate effect on these indexes. ESF treatment time only had significant effect on total chlorophyll contents, no evident effect on other indexes.

Effects of environmental factors on seedling growth and anthocyanin content in Betula ‘Royal Frost’ leaves

Determining the influences of environmental factors on seedling growth and leaf color may improve our understanding of the chromogenic mechanisms in leaves and the biosynthesis of anthocyanin. To determine the optimum conditions for Betula 'Royal Frost' seedling cultivation, we assessed seedling growth and anthocyanin content under natural conditions. The temperature had a significant influence on height but not on radial growth. Between June and September, the anthocyanin content was significantly positively correlated with light intensity and air moisture and significantly negatively correlated with temperature. In single-factor experiments to determine the variation in anthocyanin content in the greenhouse, anthocyanin content increased with increasing soil water content and at first increased, then decreased with increasing pH of the irrigation water and temperature, but decreased with increasing light intensity. K2SO4 can increase the anthocyanin content. So to maintain leaf color, seedlings should be cultivated with < 200 mu mol m(-2) s(-1) light intensity at 20 A degrees C and soil moisture content between 60 and 90%, and the irrigation water should be neutral or alkaline. Additionally, spraying with K2SO4 can be beneficial.

Effect of cold plasma treatment on seedling growth and nutrient absorption of tomato

The effects of cold plasma(CP) treatment on seed germination, seedling growth, root morphology, and nutrient uptake of a tomato were investigated. The results showed that 80 W of CP treatment significantly increased tomato nitrogen(N) and phosphorus(P) absorption by12.7% and 19.1%, respectively. CP treatment significantly improved the germination potential of tomato seed by 11.1% and the germination rate by 13.8%. Seedling growth characteristics,including total dry weight, root dry weight, root shoot rate, and leaf area, significantly increased after 80 W of CP treatment. Root activity was increased by 15.7% with 80 W of CP treatment,and 12.6% with 100 W of CP treatment. CP treatment(80 W) markedly ameliorated tomato root morphology, and root length, surface area, and volume, which increased 21.3%, 23.6%, and29.0%, respectively. Our results suggested that CP treatment improved tomato N and P absorption by promoting the accumulation of shoot and root biomass, increasing the leaf area and root activity, and improving the length, surface area, and volume of root growth. Thus, CP treatment could be used in an ameliorative way to improve tomato nutrient absorption.

Nursery practice on seed germination and seedling growth of Dalbergia sissoo using beneficial microbial inoculants

Nursery practice using microbial inoculants was performed to find out the efficacy of the inoculants on seed germination and seedling growth of sissoo（Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.）.Microbial inoculants or effective microorganisms（EM） are a mixture of many different beneficial microorganisms in a solution.The seedlings were grown in a mixture of sandy soil and cowdung（3：1） kept in polybags with pouring EM solution at different concentrations（0.1%,0.5%,1%,2%,5% and 10%） before and after a week of sowing the seeds.Seed germination rate and growth parameters of seedlings were measured,such as,shoot and root length,vigor index,fresh and dry weight of shoot and root and total biomass increment.The nodulation status influenced by EM was also observed along with the measurement of pigment contents in leaves.The highest germination rate（69%） was observed in 2% EM treatment,followed by 67% and 65% in 1% and 5% EM.The highest shoot length（33.2 cm） was in 2% EM,whereas highest root length（26.3 cm） was in 1% EM.Both fresh and dry weights from shoot and root,were maximum（4.16 g and 1.57 g;2.12 g and 0.83 g respectively） in 2% EM and were significantly（p ≤ 0.05） different from control.Vigor index was highest（4071） in 2% EM,which was significantly（p ≤ 0.05） different from control.Total dry weight increment was highest in 2% EM treatment,followed by 1% and 5% concentrations of EM.Nodulation number was higher at very low（0.1%） concentration of EM solution but it normally decreased with the increase of EM concentrations.The contents of chlorophyll a,chlorophyll b and carotenoid were highest（60.11,17.05 and 42.48 mg·L1respectively） in 2% EM treatment and lowest（39.35,13.55 and 27.29 mg·L-1 respectively） in control treatment.Therefore,low concentration of EM（up to 2%） can be used for getting maximum seed germination rate and seedling development of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.

Effect of microbial inoculants on Albizia saman germination and seedling growth

Microbial Inoculants as Effective Microorganisms （EM） were applied to find out their effects on germination and seedling growth of Albizia saman in the nursery. The seedlings were grown in a mixture of sandy soils and cow dung （3：1） kept in polybags. The EM solution at different concentrations （0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5% and 10%） was incorporated before and after a week of sowing seeds. Germination and physical growth parameters, including shoot and root length, vigor index, collar diameter, leaf number, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root and total biomass increment over the control were measured. The nodulation status influenced by EM was also observed along with the estimation of chemical parameters like chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid. Both germination and the measured physical growth parameters were found significantly （P〈0.05） higher in seedlings treated with different concentrations of EM solution in comparison to the control. Maximum growth was found at 2% followed by 1% EM solution. Nodulation was higher at 0.1% concentration but it normally decreased with the increase of concentrations. Although there were a higher amount of pigments in leaves of the treated seedlings than of the control, the variations recorded with respect to chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid were not significantly higher in most of the treatments. Treated seedlings showed variable results along with the increment of EM applications and most of the parameters showed best results at the medium range of concentrations. The study indicates that the Microbial Inoculant （EM） technology might be useful to improve the growth of seedlings in the nursery. This also indicates that the associated beneficial organisms along with the polybag soils might be of value in improving the degraded soil or poor field soil for better nutrient and water uptake during the initial growth of transplanted seedlings.

Differentiation of Seed Germination and Early Seedling Growth in Ten Provenances of Eucalyptus Microtheca

An investigation of seed germination and early seedling growth of Eucalyptus microtheca was based onseed collection from 10 widely,separated provenanes in Australia. Genetic variation of seed germination and carly seedling growth was observed among a series of provcnances whose natural habitats range from different climatic condition Inthe ten provenances, both the model of seed relative germination percentage and the model of seed total germination percentage fitted Logistic regression [y=a/(1+exp(-cx+b))]. In comparison with provenanccs from four high temperature (meanannual maximum temperature >30.0 ℃: mean annual minimum temperature > 17.0 ℃) areas, six low temperature (meanannual maximum temperature <30℃, mean annual minimum temperature <17.0 ℃) areas showed the thst genninationrate and the high total germination percentage, For each provenance we have 45 seedlings equally divided into three watering levels (100%, 50%. and 25% of field capacity), and studies on relationship between early seedling growth and climaticfactors of the natural habitat of provenance. In control treatment. height growth of the seedling has beeb associated with intrinsically the driest quarter precipitation in the seed collection areas of provenance. In all the treatments, length growth ofthe biggest Ieaf of the seedling was related to mean annual maximum temperature and mean annual minimum temperaturein origin of provenance. In contrast, basal diameter growth of the seedling was related to mean annual minimum temperature of the seed collection areas in water stress treatment. From an ecological viewpint, the fast germination rate and thehigh total germination perecntage of the seed and rapid early grouth of the seedling appear to bc favourable adaptations tothe climatic conditions prevailing in the natural habitat of provenance.

Allelopathic Potentials of Some Crop Residues on the Germination and Seedling Growth of Chromolaena Odoratum L.

The allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts of rice husk （Orza sativa L.） and sorghum stem （Sorghum bicolor L.） on the germination and seedling growth of Chromolaena odoratum L. were investigated. The extracts of the two crop residues exhibited inhibitory effects on the germination and seedling growth of Chromolaena odoratum L. The degree of retardation demonstrated in both extracts was concentration dependent. However the results obtained revealed that the retardation was more pronounced in the rice husk extract-treated seeds. However statistical analysis （P 〈 0.05% level） revealed that the degrees of inhibition of radicle and plumule obtained from various extracts treated seeds of both extracts were not significantly different when compared to those obtained from the control experiments as well as those obtained from the varying extract concentrations.

Allelopathy of Gaseous Volatiles of Eupatorium adenophorum on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Pinus yunanensis

[ Objective] The paper was to understand allelopathy of gaseous volatiles of Eupatorium adenophorum stems and leaves on seed germination and seedling growth of P/nus yunnanens/s. [ Method] P. yunnanens/s seeds were treated by fresh stems and leaves of E. adenophorum in translucent airtight container under high concentration （0.069 4 g/cm3 ）, middle concentration （0.023 1 g/cm3 ） and lower concentration （0. 007 7 g/cm3 ）, respectively. [ Result] Gaseous volatiles affected seed germination process; with the increasing processing concentration, the day on which seeds began to germinate and the day reaching germination peak were delayed, and the germination quantity on the day reaching germination peak was decreased ; the day on which the germination quantity began to significantly re- duce was delayed ; the process curve was developed from sudden increase and sudden decrease to gentle change, and nearly became a beeline at high concentration. The effects of gaseous volatiles on seed germination （ seed germination rate, germination potential, germination index） and seedling growth （fresh weight, dry weight, radicle length, hypceotyl length） of P. yunnanens/s were basically consistent, showing a regularity that high concentration had stronger inhibition effect and the inhibition effect became weaker with the decreasing concentration of E. adenophorum. E. adenophorum was widely distributed under P. yunnanens/s forests, and might affect natural regeneration and growth of P. yunnanens/s via allelopathy. [ Conclusion ] The paper provides reference for scientific management of P. yunnanens/s forests.

Effects of Low Temperature Stress on Seedling Growth of Plateau Japonica Rice

[ Objective ] The study aimed to screen rational seedling raising date and seedling raising mode for plateau japonica rice, in order to reduce the effect of low temperature on seedlings. [ Method ] The seedlings of conventional japonica rice Hexi 22-2 and giant embryo No. 1 japonica rice were treated at day tempera- ture 12℃/night temperature 8℃ and day temperature 14 ℃/night temperature 10 ℃, and the indicators including chlorophyll content, soluble sugar content, sol- uble protein content, survival rate, plant height, number of ≥ 1 cm roots, leaf wilting degree and aboveground dry matter weight were determined after treated for 0, 3 and 6 d, respectively. [ Result] Chlorophyll content of seedlings decreased when treated by low temperature for a certain period; with the prolongation of treat- ment time, contents of soluble sugar and soluble protein in some low temperature treatments increased, while plant height, number of ≥ 1 cm roots and aboveground dry matter weight increased slowly, but the growth rate was significantly lower than that at room temperature; with the decrease of temperature and the prolongation of treatment time, leaf wilting degree increased. The comprehensive experimental results showed that with the increasing duration of low temperature, when two japonica rice varieties grew under the same low temperature, seedlings grew more and more slowly, probably because the lower the treatment temperature, the greater the damage on plants. Giant Embryo No. 1 had weaker cold tolerance than Hexi 22-2. [ Conclusion] The study provides a theoretical basis for formula- tion of seedling raising technique of plateau japonica rice.

Seedling Growth of Cassia tora, Cassia occidentalis and Cassia sophera in Relation to Salinity and pH

The paper aimed to investigate the growth of seedlings of three species of Cassia （C tora, C. sophera and C occidentalis） at different concentrations of salinity （NaC1） and pH treatments. All the species showed the highest seedling length under control condition, and with the increase of salinity, C occidentalis showed the highest sensitivity. The seedling length of C tora at 0.05 M NaCI significantly （P = 0.05） decreased to 5.71 cm, and further increase of salinity to 0.1 M, the seedling length was decreased to less than the value of 0.05 M NaC1 treatment and one-third （2.15 cm） of that of control （6.92 cm）. Seeds of all the species failed to germinate at 0.5 M NaC1. Scarified seeds of C. sophera and C occidentalis increased seedling length. The highest seedling length was in C. sophera, followed by C. tora and C. occidentalis. All the species showed significant decrease （P 〈 0.05） of fresh weight with the increase of salinity; scarification of seeds in C. occidentalis and C. sophera showed higher fresh weight than those of without scarification. Experiments at different pH levels did not show any significant （P = 0.05） change in seedling length, except C. sophera, while at acidic pH, both seedling length and dry weight were significantly （P 〈 0.05） decreased.