Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Germination and seedling growth of wild green vegetables under salinity and temperature conditions

Author(s):

A. Liopa-Tsakalidi

Recieved Date: 2010-08-18, Accepted Date: 2010-11-03

Abstract:

Tordylium apulum (Mediterranean hartwort), Rumex acetosa L. (sorrel) and Scandix pecten-veneris (shepherds needle) are three delicious wild green vegetables. This investigation was performed in order to study the effect of NaCl concentration (0, 40, 60 and 80 mM NaCl) on their seed germination and seedling growth under greenhouse conditions. The seeds were sown using an automatic seeder into cell-plug-trays filled with soil, covered with vermiculite. The cell-plug-trays remained in a growth chamber (temperature 20±2°C, relative humidity 90±5%) for 9 days and were transferred to the greenhouse, where they were adjusted to constant temperatures: 15±3°C and 18±3°C. The monitoring of the seed germination and seedling growth was performed in regular time intervals from the placement of the seeds in the cell-plug-trays up to the day where the seeds were not germinating anymore. The seed germination percentage of the three wild green vegetables in the control at a temperature of 15°C in the greenhouse was 11%, 91% and 94% respectively, while at 18°C it was significantly higher (15%, 97% and 97% respectively). At 15°C in the greenhouse a reduction of the germination percentage in all three cases was observed at concentrations of NaCl at 6-2%, 85-88%, 84-80% and at 18°C the reduction was 27-24%, 97-95%, 93-92%, respectively. The germination velocity of wild green vegetable seeds in the control at 15°C was higher compared to the respective one at 18°C. At 15°C in the greenhouse the T. apulum and the R. acetosa seedling height in the control was higher, and the corresponding S. pecten-veneris height was less than the corresponding height at 18°C. At 15°C in the greenhouse the T. apulum roots and hypocotyls length in the control was longer than the corresponding length at 18°C. At 18°C the root and first leaf length on the R. acetosa seedlings was longer and the hypocotyl length was shorter in all NaCl concentrations of the control as well, than the corresponding length at 15°C in the greenhouse. At 18°C the length of the S. pecten-veneris root, hypocotyls and the first appearing leaf was increasing as were the NaCl concentrations and at 15°C in the greenhouse the root and the first appearing leaf length was reduced, compared to the control. At 15°C, only at the high concentration of 80 mM NaCl was the S. pecten-veneris hypocotyl length was reduced.

Keywords:

Wild green vegetables, Tordylium apulum, Rumex acetosa, Scandix pecten-veneris, greenhouse, temperature, NaCl, germination, growth rate, germination percentage, germination velocity, seedling height

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2010
Volume: 8
Issue: 3&4
Category: Environment
Pages: 1090-1095

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