Effect of Simulated Acid Rain on Seed Germination of Three Solanaceous Vegetables

Abstract

Tomato, brinjaul and capsicum seeds were treated with simulated acid rain at pH 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 6.5 (as ck)levels in order to research the effects of acid rain on their germination. According to the four germination indexes of germination percentage, germination energy, germination index and average germination percentage per day, the results showed the germination of tomato seeds was slightly inhibited at pH 2.0～3.0; however, brinjaul seeds was greatly inhibited, especially at pH 2.0 and they almost can’t germinate; capsicum seeds were not affected by the variational pH values, and germinated well. All four germination indexes reduced with pH decreased. Under the acid rain stress from pH 2.0 to pH 5.0, the amplitude difference of water absorbance value was capsicum (13.75) tomato (19.91) brinjaul (20.58), under the same acid rain stress condition, the inhibition index of shoot length, decreasing amplitude difference of protein content and amplitude difference of MDA content was capsicum tomato brinjaul. The results indicated that the resistance ability to acid rain was capsicum tomato brinjaul.