Effects of salinity on seed germination indices of blond plantain (Plantago ovata) at different temperatures

In many studies, the medicinal properties and impact of blond plantain on mechanisms of human physical activities has been proven. Salinity is an important abiotic stresses with detrimental effects on seed germination. An experiment was conducted to study germination characteristics of blond plantain under water and salinity stress conditions at different temperatures. The experiment was conducted at the University of Tehran Seed lab, Karaj, in 2015. Temperatures regimes included 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C. For each temperature, the treatment forsalinity and water stress was four water potentials (zero, -4, -8 and -12 bar) using sodium chloride. The effects of salt stress on seed germination of blond plantain at different temperatures showed the highest resistance to salinity at 20ºC. Salt stress at different temperatures reduced germination parameters. Increased temperatures resulted in better conditions for seed germination and increase the salinity stress tolerance. Increased severity of salinity causes the reduction of temperature range in which the seed can germinate.