more-about-PEG

Effects of drought stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) on germination of four wild

almonds were evaluated. The seeds of Prunus scoparia Spach, P. eleagnifolia Spach, P. lycioides

Spach and P. dulcis Mill (No. 24 Zarghan) were collected and stratified at 4±1 °C for 4 weeks.

Stratified seeds were incubated in PEG solution with various osmotic potentials (0, -0.05, -0.1 and

-0.5 MPa). The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with 4 replications, and

germination capacity, mean and time of germination, germination rate, length of hypocotyls and

radicles and also fresh and dry weight of seedlings were determined. Germination capacity,

germination rate and growth parameters of all species were decreased by increase in PEG

concentration and germination onset was also delayed. Furthermore the results indicated that osmotic

stress depressed the hypocotyls growth more than radiclep and root systems were more drought

tolerant. Although PEG adversely affected the germination of all 4 species, they responded differently

to drought stress. P. scoparia showing higher germination capacity, germination rate and seedling

length had the highest tolerance to drought stress and P. eleagnifolia in early phase of its seedling

growth could not completely cope with drought stress. The germination results revealed the presence

of drought resistant almonds with rich germplasm in Iran.