Germination of Salvia splendens L. subjected to salinity

Abstract

The salinity is a limiting factor for germination to occur in most species being necessary studies that assess the interaction between plants and saline environment to which they are being associated. The present study had as aim to evaluate the germination and characteristics of vigor in Salvia splendens subjected to salinity. The seeds were exposed to different osmotic potentials, simulating salt stress caused by NaCl, KCl and CaCl2 at potentials of 0, -0.4, -0.8, -1.2, -1.6 and -2.0 MPa. In general, CaCl2 led to the best results for all variables, probably connected to the positive effect of Ca2+ in cell metabolism, allowing germination of 60.81% in the osmotic potential of -1.35 MPa.