Germination and early seedling growth of common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) affected by salinity and osmotic stress

Abstract

Common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is an annual weed species with a wide distribution in warm season crops in East Azarbaijan, Iran. Tow experiments were carried out based on randomised complete block design with four replications in Tabriz, Iran in 2013 to evaluate the effects of salinity and osmotic stress on P. oleracea germination and early seedling growth. The salinity levels were included 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 dS m -1 (deci Siemens per meter) sodium chloride (NaCl). The osmotic stress levels were included 0, -0.3, -0.6, -0.9, -1.2 and 1.5 MPa were obtained by polyethylene glycol 8000 as osmotica. Results indicated that the effect of salinity was significant on seed germination percentage and rate, seedling root and shoot length and seedling dry weight. The all traits reduced significantly by increasing the salinity level. In salinity of 25 dS m-1 the germination% of P. oleracea was 80%. We can conclude that water limitation in the field such as limited irrigation and salinity would be effective strategy for reduction in germination and early seedling growth of this annual weed species.