POTENTIAL GERMINATION OF TWO CULTIVARS OF CRAMBI (Crambe abyssinica, Hochst), EN CONTROLLED SALINITY CONDITIONS

Abstract

The effects of salt stress on crambe (Crambe abyssinica, Hochst) germination was investigated in cultivars Meyer and Prophet, at eight levels of isoequivalent amounts of CaC1 ₂ and NaC1 (0, 50, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360 and 420 meq/L). Counts were made every other day, from the 3rd to 11th day in experiment 1, and from the 2nd to 12th day in experiment 2. For each experiment, 25 and 50 seeds were seeded for germination in Petri dishes in a controlled temperature chamber at 20 + ~ 1°C. Data were analized through analysis of variance and response surface regresion models.

In general, germination percentage as well as germination rate decreased as salt concentration increased. When salt concentration was equal or smaller than 240 meq/L, 50% or more germination was observed; but when salt concentration was equal or greater than 300 meq/L, final seed germination decreased drastically, in such a way that at the highest salt concentration tested (420 meq/L), there was practically no seed germination.