Effect of Germination Media and Saline Water on Germination of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Seeds

Abstract

This study was conducted at the Lab of Desert Research Center, during the two successive seasons of 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. The aim of this study was to investigate the tolerance of Salvia hispanica L. seeds germinated in filter paper or grown in sandy soil to water salinity irrigation. The seeds were irrigated (till 100% of field capacity) every two days using tap water (control, 0.42 dS m -1 ) or saline water containing of NaCl at a concentration of 2.34, 3.13, 3.91 and 4.69 dS m -1 . Saline water was used from the beginning of seed sowing till full germination (from 10-17 days). The recorded results indicated that filter paper medium is more effective in reducing the unfavorable effects of salinity on the most of the studied germination parameters than sand. Raising the salt concentration in irrigation water up to 4.69 dS m -1 decreased the most of germination parameters (germination percentage, germination index and mean germination rate of chia seeds). The highest values of above mentioned parameters were gained by the combination of 0.42 dS m -1 concentration (control), especially those germinated on filter paper, followed descendingly by 2.34 dS m -1 concentration with the filter paper growing medium in both seasons. Also, the highest mean of daily germination and germination value were recorded by grown chia seed in filter paper and irrigated with saline water at 2.34 dS m -1 in 1 st and 2 nd seasons, while seeds grown in the same above mentioned medium and irrigated with saline water at 2.34 dS m -1 scored the highest peak value for germination in both seasons. Furthermore the highest values of coefficient of variation of germination time were gained by the combination treatments of the highest salinity concentration 4.69 dS m -1 with the filter paper growing medium in both seasons. On the other hand the combination of growing sand medium and irrigation with saline water at 3.91 dS m -1 concentration showed to be the most effective one for producing the highest mean germination time, time to 50 % germination and time to 90 % germination of chia seeds in both seasons. Conclusively, using filter paper as the germination medium produced the best germination parameters at the lowest salinity level 0.42 dS m -1 . On the other hand, the filter paper growing medium reduced, to some extent, the negative effect of salinity on chia seed germination parameters.