Festuca ovina L. is an important ornamental species used in urban landscapes and pastures reclamation. However, low resistance of this species to salt stress has hindered it’s extended application in low-water and salty regions. To study the effects of calcium on reducing salt stress injuries in seed germination and early growth of this species, a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications was conducted. The salt levels included NaCl solutions (5, 10, 15 and 20 dS/m). Calcium source was CaCl2 with concentrations of 0, 10, 20 and 30 meq/L. Germination percentage and mean germination time were significantly affected by interaction of salinity and calcium. As salinity increased, mean germination time increased. However, germination percentage, shoot length, root length, shoot fresh and dry weight, root fresh and dry weight and seed vigor index was decreased following the increases of salinity. Concentrations of 10 and 20 meq/L CaCl2 had significant effects on reducing salt injuries on seed germination of Festuca ovina. This finding was even prominent in higher salinity levels of 15 and 20 dS/m. Therefore, to facilitate using this species in urban landscapes or in pastures, pre-treatment of the seeds using 10 and 20 meq/L CaCl2 is recommended.
کلید واژگان :Calcium chloride, Festuca ovina, Germination, Salinity stress, Urban landscape
ارزش ریالی : 600000 ریال
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