Varietal Differences for Salt Tolerance during Seed Germination of Artemisia annuaL. at Different Temperature Regimes

摘要

Artemisia anuua L. (Quinghao; Family Asteraceae) is a natural source of a potent anti-malarial drug artemisinin. Salt stress inhibits its growth; seed germination is the most sensitive andcrucial stage of its life cycle. Sodium chloride tolerance during germination is important for establishment of plants that grow in saline habitats. The objective of this study was to determine the salt tolerance relative to seed germination potential and seedling vigor index of two A. annua varieties ‘CIM-Arogya’ and ‘Jeevan Raksha’ in Petri dishes under three constant (15°C, 20°C, and 25°C) temperature regimes and four levels of NaCl salt concentration (0 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM, and 150 mM) using 16h light and 8 h dark photoperiod. Highest percentage of germination and seedling vigor index I and II were observed in the control at 15°C, followed by 20°C temperature regime. Germination percentage decreasedas NaCl concentration increased. At 50 mMNaCl, CIM-Arogya exhibited highest germination and seedling vigor index I at 15°C and vigor II at 20°C. The findings of this study should be helpfulin the study of germination and selection of new suitable areas and varieties for commercial cultivationof A. annua, especially under saline conditions. We suggest that in the nursery more than 100 mM salinity soils and 20°C temperature be avoided and varietyCIM-Arogya can be grown up to 100 mM NaCl concentration at 15°C–20°C.