Modeling the influence of temperature, salt and osmotic stresses on seed germination and survival capacity of Stipa tenacissima L.

Abstract This work stands for a modelling approach to identify the cardinal temperature of germination of Stipa tenacissima L., its capacity to recover and its adaptation potential considering dormancy and viability after exposure to salinity and drought. Seed traits characterised before germination were tested. The seeds were incubated at temperatures of 10 to 30 °C and low osmotic potentials were induced using sodium chloride (NaCl) or polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) solutions of 0 to −1.6 MPa. The capacity of seeds to recover and remain viable under stress conditions was quantified. Our results proved that the seed yields and sizes were uniform. The analysis of cardinal temperature by thermal time model exhibited an optimal germination temperature (T o) of about 19 °C, a base temperature (T b) of 0.6 °C and a ceiling temperature (T c) of 31 °C at 0 MPa. The base water potential Ψb (50) values ranged between −0.83 and −1.54 MPa and between −0.97 and −2.27 MPa for osmotic and salt stresses, at 30 °C and 20 °C, respectively. In conclusion, the species showed a lower seed recruitment related to a low drought tolerance (drought tolerance index = −0.5 MPa), To requirement and threshold sensitivity. Under salt stress, S. tenacissima used osmotic adjustment in order to germinate in a lower osmotic potential.