Abstract:

The aim was to investigate the protective effect of exogenous glycine betaine (GB) solution (0-10.0 mmol/L) on seeds germination and bud seedling growth of Cichorium intybus L. under salt stress. Seeds germination test were carried out by treated seeds with the combination of different concentrations of NaCl (0-280 mmol/L) and 0-10.0 mmol/L GB. The results showed that germination of seeds was inhibited by salt solution. 280 mmol/L NaCl completely inhibited the seed germination. Exogenous GB could markedly alleviate salt stress with an obvious dose-dependent effect. Among them, 2.5 mmol/L GB was the optimium dose, which could significantly promote germination percentage, germination potential and germination index under the solution of 210 mmol/L NaCl significantly (P<0.05). However, exogenous GB could not alleviate the inhibitory action of salt stress on bud seedling growth. Exogenous GB could alleviate the inhibition effects of salt stress on seed germination of Cichorium intybus L.