Effects of different saline-alkali stresses on seed germination of two mulberry varieties
LI Jiaqi
ZHANG Qin
JIA Fugui
SHEN Zijing
SHI Jianguo
Abstract：This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of saline-alkali stress on the germination characteristics of mulberry seeds.Using two mulberry varieties,Yu 71-1 and Fengtian NO.5 as experimental materials,different concentrations of mixed neutral salts[sodium chloride(NaCl),sodium sulfate(Na2SO4)],mixed alkaline salts[sodium carbonate(Na2CO3),sodium bicarbonate(NaHCO3)],and composite saline-alkali(NaCl∶Na2SO4∶Na2CO3∶NaHCO3=4∶1∶4∶1)stress environments were artificially simulated.Germination tests were conducted on filter paper in a constant temperature incubator,systematically measuring eight germination indicators,including germination rate,germination potential,germination index,relative embryonic root length,and relative salt damage rate.The results showed that under low concentrations of composite saline-alkali stress(30～60 mmol/L).The mixed neutral salt environment was more conducive to embryonic root development.At a concentration of 90 mmol/L,the relative root lengths of the two varieties reached their peak(Yu 71-1:89.11%,Fengtian NO.5:71.43%).Mixed alkaline salts and composite saline-alkali exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition at concentrations exceeding 60 mmol/L.Correlation analysis showed that germination potential was extremely positively correlated with seed vigor index,germination index,and relative germination potential(P<0.01),while relative salt damage rate was extremely negatively correlated with germination rate(P<0.01).Comprehensive analysis showed that the saline-alkali tolerance of mulberry seeds followed the order:Mixed neutral salts>composite saline-alkali>mixed alkaline salts.The study shows that the response of mulberry seeds to salt alkali stress during germination varies depending on the type and concentration of salt,with low concentrations(30～60 mmol/L)having a certain germination promoting effect.
Keywords：Morus alba L.seed germinationsaline-alkali stressgermination indexes
Publication Date：2025-12-16
Online Publishing Date：2026-01-31(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 102-108 )