Effects of different salt (NaCl), nitrate ($KNO _3$) and acid (HCl and $H _2S0 _4$) concentrations on the germination of some Hesperis species seeds

Abstract

Germination responses of 14 Hesperis species (Hesperis aspera, H. bicuspidata, H. campicarpa, H. cappadocica, H. hedgei, H. laciniata, H. matronalis, H. pendula, H. persica, H. podocarpa, H. schischkinii, H. stellata, H. theophrasti subsp. sintensii, H. transcaucasica) distributing naturally in Turkey were tested in this study at different salt (NaCl), nitrate ($KNO _3$) and acid (HCl, $H _2S0 _4$) concentrations (Control, 0.5, 1, 2, 3%). Low salt concentration blocked seed germination of eight taxa (Hesperis aspera, H. campicarpa, H. cappadocica, H. laciniata, H. pendula, H. persica, H. stellata, H. transcaucasica) and also declined seed germination ratio and speed of the others. Although low potassium nitrate concentrations increased germination of all species except H. hedgei, its increasing concentrations decreased it. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) blocked germination percentage and speed completely of eight taxa (Hesperis aspera, H. bicuspidata, H. campicarpa, H. cappadocica, H. hedgei, H. pendula, H. persica, H. theophrastii subsp. sintenisii), while the other six species germinated in its low concentrations. Similarly, sulphuric acid ($H _2S0 _4$) obstructed germination of all except two species, H. podocarpa and H. transcaucasica germinated in low $H _2S0 _4$ concentration. Significant differences in sensitivity to salt, nitrate and acid were determined among the 14 Hesperis species (p>0.05).

Germination responses of 14 Hesperis species (Hesperis aspera, H. bicuspidata, H. campicarpa, H. cappadocica, H. hedgei, H. laciniata, H. matronalis, H. pendula, H. persica, H. podocarpa, H. schischkinii, H. stellata, H. theophrasti subsp. sintensii, H. transcaucasica) distributing naturally in Turkey were tested in this study at different salt (NaCl), nitrate ($KNO _3$) and acid (HCl, $H _2S0 _4$) concentrations (Control, 0.5, 1, 2, 3%). Low salt concentration blocked seed germination of eight taxa (Hesperis aspera, H. campicarpa, H. cappadocica, H. laciniata, H. pendula, H. persica, H. stellata, H. transcaucasica) and also declined seed germination ratio and speed of the others. Although low potassium nitrate concentrations increased germination of all species except H. hedgei, its increasing concentrations decreased it. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) blocked germination percentage and speed completely of eight taxa (Hesperis aspera, H. bicuspidata, H. campicarpa, H. cappadocica, H. hedgei, H. pendula, H. persica, H. theophrastii subsp. sintenisii), while the other six species germinated in its low concentrations. Similarly, sulphuric acid ($H _2S0 _4$) obstructed germination of all except two species, H. podocarpa and H. transcaucasica germinated in low $H _2S0 _4$ concentration. Significant differences in sensitivity to salt, nitrate and acid were determined among the 14 Hesperis species (p>0.05).