Abstract
Salicornia europaea, a halophytic species, was investigated to assess its ability to withstand salinity during seed germination, and to identify suitable indices to interpret salt tolerance at this delicate stage. Seed germination indices (germination percentage (GP), germination energy (GE), germination value (GV), coefficient of germination velocity (CVG), germination rate index (GRI), germination peak value (GPV), mean germination time (MGT), and time to 50% germination (T50)) were calculated under increasing salinity (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 600 mM NaCl). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to describe the relationships involving the variables that account for data variance. Two salinity thresholds were identified (100 and 600 mM NaCl) determining significant decreases in all the indices, except for T50 and MGT. In fact, PCA based on generated correlation circle showed significant negative correlations (r close to −1) between salt stress and GP, GE, GRI, PV, GV, and CVG, whereas no correlation was observed with T50 and MGT (r close to zero). Based on this, GP, GE, GRI, PV, GV, and CVG can be considered useful traits to assess salt tolerance during germination in S. europaea, while T50 and MGT, that were not affected by the range of salinity levels investigated, should not be used for this purpose.
Highlights
Salinity in soil or water is one of the stresses most severely limiting crop production [1]
Salicornia is a halophyte genus belonging to the Amaranthaceae family
Commercial Salicornia europaea seeds were purchased from B & T World
Summary
Salinity in soil or water is one of the stresses most severely limiting crop production [1]. Delays plant development, and reduces crop yield [3]. The decline in food availability, and the quest for more sustainable sources of food and forage are stirring the interest in halophyte plants. Halophytes are naturally evolved salt-tolerant plants that represent almost 2% of terrestrial species [4]. Halophytes are currently being studied for wider commercial applications, including as a source of food and forage, and aromatic, cosmetic, and nutraceutical compounds for human uses [5]. Salicornia is a halophyte genus belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. It is known as pickleweed, glasswort, sea beans, sea asparagus, or crow’s foot greens [6]. Besides Salicornia europaea, several other species of Salicornia are well known, such as
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
