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A new halothermal time model describes seed germination responses to salinity across both sub- and supra-optimal temperatures

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Abstract

We quantified the seed germination responses of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.; Asteraceae) to heat, water and salt stresses using hydrothermal time (HTT) and halothermal time (HaloTT) models. We extended the HaloTT model based on NaCl concentration to include supra-optimal temperatures. The HTT and HaloTT models enabled quantitative comparison of the effects of reduced water potentials and increased salinity on germination. Below 30 °C, the median threshold water potential permitting germination estimated by the HTT model (− 0.83 MPa) was higher than that estimated by the HaloTT model (− 1.30 MPa, after converting the median threshold NaCl concentration to osmotic potential). Ion uptake into seeds imbibed in salt solutions accounted for an average osmotic adjustment of 36% in the presence of salt stress compared to seeds imbibed in polyethylene glycol solutions. These thresholds became more positive above 30 °C with a common median ceiling temperature of 43 °C. The HaloTT models developed here accurately described germination responses to NaCl concentrations across all temperatures and incorporated both water potential and osmotic adjustment effects. With respect to seed germination, chicory could be considered as a moderately water stress tolerant species and highly tolerant to salt stress.

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Abbreviations

Cl– :

Chloride ion

GP:

Germination percentage

GR:

Germination rate, or 1/tg

HaloTT:

Halothermal time model

HTT:

Hydrothermal time model

k T :

The slope of the relationship between ψb(50) and/or NaClb(50) and T above To

M:

Molar

MPa:

Megapascal

Na+ :

Sodium ion

NaCl:

NaCl concentration (M)

NaClb(50):

The base NaCl of the 50th percentile

NaClb :

Median base NaCl concentration

OAV:

Osmotic adjustment value

SG:

Seed germination

SMC:

Seed moisture content

T :

Temperature

T b :

Minimum temperature (base temperature)

T c :

Maximum temperature (ceiling temperature)

T d :

The temperature at which ψb(50) and/or NaClb(50) trend begins to change

t g :

The time required for fraction or percentage (g) of seeds to germinate

T o :

Optimum temperature

θ H :

Hydrotime constant

θ Halo :

Halotime constant

σ NaClb :

Standard deviation of NaClb within the seed population

σψ b :

Standard deviation of ψb within the seed population

ψ :

Water potential

ψb(50):

The base ψ of the 50th percentile

ψ b :

Base water potential

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Acknowledgements

This work is financially supported by the Genetics and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute of Tabarestan (GABIT) and Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University (SANRU) research Grant (D.2169.97.31). We also gratefully acknowledge use of the services and facilities of the GABIT during this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Genetics and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute of Tabarestan and Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Km 9 Farah Abad Road, P.O. Box: 578, Sari City, Mazandaran Province, Postal code: 4818168984, Iran

    Esmaeil Bakhshandeh, Hemmatollah Pirdashti & Fatemeh Vahabinia

  2. Department of Plant Sciences, Seed Biotechnology Center, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Kent J. Bradford

  3. Laboratoire des Ecosystèmes Pastoraux et Valorisation des Plantes Spontanées et des Micro-organismes Associés, Institut des Régions Arides, Université de Gabes 4119 Médenine, Gabès, Tunisia

    Raoudha Abdellaoui

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  1. Esmaeil Bakhshandeh
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  2. Kent J. Bradford
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  3. Hemmatollah Pirdashti
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  4. Fatemeh Vahabinia
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Correspondence to Esmaeil Bakhshandeh.

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Bakhshandeh, E., Bradford, K.J., Pirdashti, H. et al. A new halothermal time model describes seed germination responses to salinity across both sub- and supra-optimal temperatures. Acta Physiol Plant 42, 137 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-020-03126-9

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