The aim of this experiment was to determine the responses of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) to salt stress during germination and vegetative growth. Therefore, effects of salinity (0, 50, 100,150, 200,250mMNaCl) on germination, changes in the percentage of germination, abnormal seedling and un-germinated seeds of two germplasms (Zxy06p-2449 and Zxy06p-2653) during germination under stress were determined. Moreover, during vegetative growth(40d old plants), changes in superoxide dismutase(SOD), peroxidase(POD), catalase (CAT), electrolyte leakage were also investigated after salt treatment for 5,10 and 15d. Salt stress decreased the germination percentage. Few seeds germinated at 200mMNaCl, abnormal seedlings and un-germinated seeds increased significantly under the higher salt concentration. During vegetative growth, increased activities of SOD, in 50,100 and 150mMNaCl treated-plants may help to avoid oxidative damage. Differential responses of antioxidant enzymes to salt stress during germination and vegetative growth suggested different antioxidant metabolism in reed canary grass. From the results obtained in present study, it can be suggested that reed canary grass is a moderately salt-tolerant specie with considerable germplasm differences. Zxy06p-2449 and Zxy06p-2653 will not be survive in long-term (>15d) salt treatment under 150mMNaCl, especially Zxy06p-2653 which shown more sensitive under higher salt concentrations
Germinability and antioxidant metabolism in Passiflora caerulea L. seeds exposed to salt stress
