Vol. 11, Issue 8 (2022)

Author(s):
Yamuna Devi G, Thavaprakaash N, Vanitha K, Sangeetha SP, Thiyagarajan G and Mobeena S

Abstract:
Moisture stress (drought and high moisture) as well as salt stress interfere on seed germination and further, the full development of several crops. The objective of this laboratory study was to evaluate the effect of water stress (high and low moisture) and salinity on the germination of quinoa seeds. The study was made at Department of Agronomy laboratory, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during January to March, 2022. The drought stress was examined using Polyethylene glycol (PEG) at six levels of water potential (0, -1 bars, -2 bars, -3 bars, -4 bars and -5 bars). The high moisture stress was made by adding seeds in test tube with 5 ml and 10 ml of distill water along with control. Salt stress was examined by using different salt concentration viz., 20mM, 40mM, 60mM, 80mM, 100mM, 120mM, 140mM, 160mM, 180mM and 200Mm along with control (distill water). Germination characters such as germination percentage, germination index, mean daily germination, daily germination speed and germination rate were accounted after five days. This study results revealed that the germination was not affected upto 80mM, after that increase in salt concentration decreased the germination of quinoa seed. In PEG solution, germination was similar in -1 bar and -2 bar as same like control whereas increase in concentration of PEG solution beyond that declined the germination. Under both high moisture condition, the germination of seeds was affected. Hence, from the laboratory study it is concluded that quinoa was highly tolerant to salt stress (upto 80 mM NaCl), it can withstand drought condition (upto -2 bars) but it is sensitive to high moisture stress.