Effects of salt stress on germination of five Puccinellia distans materials

A germination test on five Puccinellia materials under 6 NaCl concentrations, including 0(Control), 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2%, 1.6 % and 2.0%, was conducted. The sprout length and radical length were also measured in this study. The results showed that with the increasing of NaCl concentration, germination rates of all P.distans materials decrease, even decreased to 0 when the NaCl concentration is 2.0%. Under the same NaCl concentration, P.tenuiflora had the highest germination rate. This indicated it has a relative high salt tolerance. After salt stresses were relieved, germination rates of five P.distans materials were the same as control. So the effects of osmotic stresses on P.distans seeds are temporary, and all the seeds still have high germination potential.