Storage Period and Different Abiotic Factors Regulate Seed Germination of Two Apocynum Species — Cash Crops in Arid Saline Regions in the Northwestern China

On degraded land in arid regions, cultivation of Apocynum species can provide significant environmental benefits by preventing soil erosion and desertification. Furthermore, venetum pictum , which are mainly distributed salt-barren lands the northwestern region China, traditionally used to produce natural fiber herbal tea. Direct sowing both may encounter various abiotic stresses such as drought salinity. However, these effects on germination remain largely unknown, especially for seeds with different storage periods. The aim this study was evaluate period, light condition, temperature regime, drought, salinity performances species. Germination experiment carried out November 2017. There were four replicates each treatment, petri dish contained 25 seeds. results indicated that prolongation period significantly decreased percentage velocity, under stresses. Light did not affect seed A. any conditions. Seeds had better performance at 10/25 15/30°C than those incubated other temperatures. With increase polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations, gradually decreased, stored 2 years. Low PEG (0–20%) concentration (0–200 mM) freshly matured long-time tolerance during stage. For saline soils semi-arid or 1-year-stored recommended be sown using drip-irrigation spring.