Abstract:
Salinity is a major environmental stress negatively influencing germination and seedling establishment in a wide variety of crops. The objective of this study was to use the organic materials with superabsorbents to improve the emergence rate and seedling traits of Milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) under salinity stress. A factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in outdoor pots. Treatments included: organic coats at two levels (C1= peat moss and C2= vermicompost) , superabsorbent polymers at seven levels (A1= without superabsorbent, A2-A4= coats with 2, 4, and 6 g superabsorbent of A200 per kg organic material, and A5-A7= coats with 2, 4, and 6 g superabsorbent of F1 per kg organic material) , and salinity (S) stress at five levels (0, -2, -4, -6, and -8 bar). Results showed that organic material and the type and amount of superabsorbent significantly (p ≤ 0. 05) affected emergence, emergence rate, plant vigor index, shoot dry weight, leaf area, specific leaf area, relative water content, and total chlorophyll. Application of superabsorbent polymers with organic material reduced salinity stress in the primary growth stage of Milk thistle. Generally superabsorbent A200 is more effective than superabsorbent F1 and vermicompost coats better are than peat moss coats.
Machine summary:
The objective of this study was to use the organic materials with superabsorbents to improve the emergence rate and seedling traits of Milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.
Increasing the water level around the seed is an approach to reducing the effect of osmotic pressure due to drought and salinity in the germination stage.
(2011) observed that with the increase in superabsorbent material in soil, the effect of drought stress on seed germination stage could be reduced.
The present study aimed to use superabsorbent materials mixed with organic materials as organic coatings under salt stress in order to increase Milk thistle early vigor and establish plant in saline land.
Emergence percentage: Mean comparison of the effects of superabsorbent, organic material (vermicompost, and peat moss), and salinity on seedling emergence percentage showed that the largest percentage was 100% (Table 2).
Emergence percentage was 50% under 0 bar salinity, peat moss, and level 1 superabsorbent, however, under the same salinity, organic material, and level 3 super absorbent A200 and F1, it was 100% and 75%, respectively.
2. Emergence rate Mean comparison of the effects of super absorbent, organic material (vermicompost, and peat moss), and salinity on seedling emergence rate showed that the largest emergence rate was 0.
Effect of superabsorbent, salinity and organic material (vermicompost, and peat moss) on emergence rate (Means followed by similar letters don’t significant difference based Duncan multiple range test (p ≤ 0.
5. Leaf area Mean comparison of the effects of super absorbent, organic material (vermicompost, and peat moss), and salinity showed that the largest leaf area was 179.