Salinity effect on physiological characteristics and seed germination of medicinal plants Flax, Artichoke, Coneflower and Safflower

In order to study the effect of salinity on germination and seedling growth of four medicinal plant artichoke, purple coneflower, flax and safflower a factorial experiment in completely randomized design with four replications was carried out in the Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. The first factor, different levels of salinity (0, 4, 8 and 12 ds/m-1) and The second factor were medicinal plant artichoke, purple coneflower, flax and safflower Sodium chloride was used to Salinity. Salinity stress with slow decline in germination in plants safflower, flax and artichoke, so that the salinity 12 ds/m-1 germination percentage amount was high in the three plants (Respectively 91, 88, 85). Germination rate under salt stress linearly decreased in all plants. The germination rate compared with germination percentage in plants assessment showed greater sensitivity to salt stress. The results showed that the germination stage, flax and safflower plants tolerant to salinity, artichoke is moderately resistant and purple coneflower salt-sensitive. The results of data analysis showed salt effect on studied varieties and interaction of varieties × salt on the studied characteristics were significant in 1% level. The results of statistical comparison and control saline conditions showed that the rate of germination in artichoke 21.17 highest and safflower 13.36 lowest, The root length and shoot the artichoke plant was higher than other plants. In this research some characteristics as rate and percent of germination, root and shoot length, root to shoot ratio and dry weight of plantlet with increasing of salt in four medicinal plant decreased.