Pretreatment with H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> Alleviates the Negative Impacts of NaCl Stress on Seed Germination of Tartary Buckwheat (<i>Fagopyrum tataricum</i>)

Soil salinization is one of the main abiotic stress factors impacting the growth of crops and the agricultural industry today. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> pretreatment on seed germination in Tartary buckwheat (<i>Fagopyrum tat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xin Yao, Meiliang Zhou, Jingjun Ruan, Yan Peng, Hao Yang, Yong Tang, Anjing Gao, Jianping Cheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-08-01
Series:Plants
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/9/1784
Description
Summary:Soil salinization is one of the main abiotic stress factors impacting the growth of crops and the agricultural industry today. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> pretreatment on seed germination in Tartary buckwheat (<i>Fagopyrum tataricum</i>) seeds under salt stress and to evaluate this species’ salt tolerance. Through the preliminary experiment, this study used 50 mmol L<sup>−1</sup> NaCl solution to induce seed stress. After soaking for 12 h in different H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> concentrations, seeds were laid in Petri dishes with 50 mmol L<sup>−1</sup> NaCl for seven days and the germination parameters and physiological indicators were measured to screen the optimal H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> pretreatment concentration and the salt tolerance index. Our results indicated that pretreatment with 5–10 mmol L<sup>−1</sup> H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> was most effective in alleviating NaCl’s impacts on the seeds’ germination parameters. Furthermore, the growth and material accumulation of seedlings was promoted; catalase, superoxide dismutase activity, and proline content were enhanced; and malondialdehyde content was reduced. Principal component analysis and stepwise regression revealed six key indicators that had a significant impact on the salt tolerance characteristics of <i>F. tataricum</i>, namely, germination potential, shoot fresh weight, root surface area, root average diameter, catalase activity, and superoxide dismutase activity.
ISSN:2223-7747