Effects of different salt (NaCl), nitrate (KNO3) and acid (H2SO4) concentrations on the germination of some Salvia species seeds

Abstract

In this study, the seed germination characteristics of six Salvia species [(S. cryprantha, S. cyanescens, S. dichroantha, S. tchihatcheffii, S. aerhiopis, S, virgata)], and the effects of various concentrations of salt (NaCl), nitrate (KNO3) and acid (H2SO4) on germination rates of these species were examined. It was observed that, although all salt concentrations reduced germination percentage, low salt concentrations (0.5-1%) had no effect on germination speed while high concentrations (1-3%) had an inhibiting effect. Increasing concentration of potassium nitrate reduced germination percentage for all six Salvia species but two species (S. cyanescens and S. dichroantha) gave higher germination speed. Sulfuric acid inhibited both germination percentage and speed, inhibiting or preventing germination altogether. Significant differences in sensitivity to salt and acid were also determined among the six Salvia species.