Evaluation of seed germination and seedling growth indices of Drimia maritima L. under salinity and temperature stress

Seed germination is an important stage in the life cycle of plants. Seed germination is affected by various environmental stresses such as salinity, high temperature and drought. Squill (Drimia maritima) is a medicinal plant that is used in traditional medicine and the use of seeds is one of the methods of propagation of this plant. There is no information about the effect of environmental stresses on seed germination of this plant. In this study, the effect of temperature treatments (15, 20 and 25 °C) and different salinity levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mM) on seed germination and seedling growth indices were investigated. The results showed that temperature and salinity treatments have a significant effect on germination and seedling growth indices. At all three temperatures of 15, 20 and 25 °C, seed germination and seedling growth indices decreased under salinity stress and the lowest seed germination and seedling growth were obtained in 200 and 250 mM sodium chloride treatments. At all three temperatures, salinity stress had a inhibitory effect on seedling growth indices such as the length of different seedling sections and the fresh and dry weight of seedlings as well as the seedling vigor index of Squill. The results of the present experiment showed that Squill is sensitive to salinity in the germination stage and the temperature of 20°C is the appropriate temperature for the germination of the Squill’s seed.