The evaluation of drought and salinity effects on germination and seedling growth Caper (Capparis spinosa L.)

Caper is a native to the Mediterranean basin and adaptable plant to arid and semi-arid area and which is also used for restoration in these zones. Caper produced a lot of seed but have poor germination, Limited soil moisture and salinity influences germination and seedling growth. Therefore effects of drought and salinity on germination were studied. Experiment was conducted in Agriculture College of Shiraz University in 2007. Experimental design was a randomized complete arrangement in four replications in which salinity and drought treatments at six levels(0 -0.25, -0.5, -0.75, -1, -1.25 MP of NaCl and PEG at 25c), the result showed that drought and salinity had a significant effects on germination percentage, germination rate, shoot and root length, vigor index and seedling dry weight. Germination percentage and Seedling dry weight decreased more than others. Caper had sensitive higher to salinity than drought.