Effect of Salinity Stress on Germination of Matricaria comomilla and Thymus deanensis

Abstract

Salinity is one of the environmental factors that have a critical influence on the germination of seeds and plant establishment. Salinity affects imbibition, germination and root elongation. In this study, the germination characteristics of Matricaria comomilla and Thymus deanensis were studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of salinity on germination of these species. Seeds were treated with 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400mmol of NaCl. Daily and final germination percentages were recorded. The results showed that high salinity caused decrease in final germination percentage and Higher concentration of NaCl was germination inhibitor. Finally, results suggest that Thymus deanensis was more tolerant to salinity.