Effects of Temperature, pH, and Salinity on Seed Germination of Acinos alpinus subsp. Meridionalis and FTIR Analysis of Molecular Composition Changes

This study aimed to determine the impact of three abiotic factors (Temperature, pH, and salinity) on metabolic activities (macromolecules) germination rate Acinos alpinus subsp. Meridionalis (Satureja) seeds. In vitro, seed tests were performed in an aqueous medium. They monitored as a function time at different levels temperature, NaCl concentration, pH. The best (85.3%) was achieved 15 °C pH = 7. However, nil higher temperature (more than 25 °C), acidic (pH < 3.5), concentration >7.5 g L−1). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed important variability chemical composition germinated Indeed, comparison absorbance peaks compounds treatments versus control revealed significant differences their concentrations structures, which may justify why seeds fail germinate under some extreme conditions. results this are expected serve guide for protocols be adopted ex situ conservation species.