Synergistic and antagonistic effects of salinity and pH on germination in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.)

PLoS One. 2014 Jan 14;9(1):e85282. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085282. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

The effects of salt-alkaline mixed stress on switchgrass were investigated by evaluating seed germination and the proline, malondialdehyde (MDA) and soluble sugar contents in three switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) cultivars in order to identify which can be successfully produced on marginal lands affected by salt-alkaline mixed stress. The experimental conditions consisted of four levels of salinity (10, 60, 110 and 160 mM) and four pH levels (7.1, 8.3, 9.5 and 10.7). The effects of salt-alkaline mixed stress with equivalent coupling of the salinity and pH level on the switchgrass were explored via model analyses. Switchgrass was capable of germinating and surviving well in all treatments under low-alkaline pH (pH≤8.3), regardless of the salinity. However, seed germination and seedling growth were sharply reduced at higher pH values in conjunction with salinity. The salinity and pH had synergetic effects on the germination percentage, germination index, plumular length and the soluble sugar and proline contents in switchgrass. However, these two factors exhibited antagonistic effects on the radicular length of switchgrass. The combined effects of salinity and pH and the interactions between them should be considered when evaluating the strength of salt-alkaline mixed stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carbohydrate Metabolism
  • Carbohydrates / chemistry
  • Germination*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Panicum / growth & development*
  • Panicum / metabolism
  • Panicum / physiology
  • Proline / metabolism
  • Salinity*
  • Seedlings / growth & development
  • Solubility
  • Stress, Physiological

Substances

  • Carbohydrates
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Proline

Grants and funding

This research was funded by The National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program, 2012AA101801) (http://www.most.gov.cn/kjjh/), The Major State Basic Research and Development Program of China (973 Program, 2011AA100209) (http://www.973.gov.cn/AreaAppl.aspx), The National Natural Science Fund of China (31272493) (http://www.nsfc.gov.cn/Portal0/default152.htm), The National Science & Technology Pillar Program of China (2011BAD17B01-02) (http://www.dost.moe.edu.cn/) and The International Cooperation Research Project between China and Serbia (2011-1-7) (http://www.istcp.org.cn/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.