Comparing effect of gibberellic acid and potassium nitrate application on germination enhancement of Salsola rigida

Salsola rigida is one of the most palatable species of steppe and dispersedly semi-steppe areas. The investigation of various features such as its reproduction seems to be essential for vegetation expansion projects in abovementioned regions. The objective of the present study was to compare effects of different treatments on promoting seed germination in Salsola rigida. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of KNO3 (%0.2 and %0.1) and GA3 (100 ppm and 300 ppm). For this purpose, a completely randomized design with four replications in two forms of experiments was done: treatment irrigation during the germination period and presoaking. The results of analysis of variance showed that the effect of various treatments were significantly different. The treatment of 0.2% KNO3 in presoaking had the highest seed germination percentage. The result obtained from gibberlic acid 300 ppm influence was a little smaller than 0.2% KNO3. Totally, this research cleared that presoaking treatment was more effective on germination stimulation so that presoaking with 0.2% KNO3 increased germination up to 100%.