Effects of drought stress on germination and seedling growth of different field pea varieties

Abstract

Germination and seedling growth of seven genotypes of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) were studied in PEG-6000 solution having osmotic potentials -0.1 and -0.2 MPa. A study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of different osmotic potentials (MPa) on seed germination percentage (GP) and mean germination time (MGT). Results show that the percentage of germination decreased with a decrease in osmotic potential, while mean germination time increased. Variety Javor is much more sensitive than the other varieties at all levels of osmotic stress. By contrast, the lowest sensitivity of germination and MGT was found in varieties Mraz and Trezor. Seed germination tests at -0.1 to -0.2 MPa have the potential to be used as tests in field pea. Osmotic stress exposure and its duration significantly affected the growth of seedlings (shoot and root) and the accumulation of biomass, while its effect was more prominent on the growth of the shoot than on root growth, which was also confirmed by the root tolerance index.