Since seed reserves can influence seed germination, the quantitative and qualitative differences in seed reserves may relate to the germination characteristics of species. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the correlation between germination and seed reserves, as well as their mobilization during germination of six grassland species (Chloris virgata, Kochia scoparia, Lespedeza hedysaroides, Astragalus adsurgens, Leonurus artemisia, and Dracocephalum moldavica) and compare the results with domesticated species. We measured starch, protein, and fat content in dry seeds and the initial absorption of water during imbibition. Starch, soluble protein, fat, and soluble sugar content also were determined at five stages during germination. Starch, protein, and fat reserves in dry seeds were not significantly correlated with germination percentage and rate (speed), but soluble sugar and soluble protein contents at different germination stages were positively significantly correlated with germination rate for the six species. Starch was mainly used during seed imbibition, and soluble protein was used from the imbibition stage to the highest germination stage. Fat content for all species remained relatively constant throughout germination for six species, regardless of the proportion of other seed reserves in the seeds. Our results for fat utilization differ from those obtained for cultivated grasses and legumes. These results provide new insight on the role of seed reserves as energy resources in germination for wild species.

Ascorbic acid (ASA) is often recommended to mitigate the effects of saline stress on crop growth. However, no such research exists on its priming effect on the growth of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). Thus, the main goal of this study was to evaluate the potential benefits of ASA (0.1 and 0.5 μM) against salt-induced stress in quinoa seedlings. The results showed that ASA significantly improved germination, and biomass, especially fresh weight (≥47.14%) and dry weight (≥83.33%) even higher than CK, indicating enhanced plant vigor under such salt stress of 200 mM. Additionally, ASA-treated plants enhanced chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis, with low ASA increased carotenoids by 95.45%, improving photosynthesis. Furthermore, ASA enhanced gas exchange, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and antioxidants enzyme activities, suggesting improvement in energy dissipation and potential support for oxidative stress tolerance. Notably, metabolic indicators, especially proline (≥29.89%) showed higher levels, indicating enhanced osmotic adjustment. Moreover, ASA effectively mitigated sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻) in roots through potassium (K⁺) uptake by at least 93.41% and elevated K⁺ levels by 99.76% in shoots, underscoring its role in mediating ion homeostasis under salinity. This study provides the first evidence that ASA could enhance biological, physiological and biochemical responses in quinoa. Applying ASA at 0.1 μM/L is feasible and effective as a priming concentration under suitable salt stress conditions.

Identifying suitable salt stress-tolerant phenotypes based on their agronomic and physiological traits remains a herculean task in forage-type oat (Avena sativa L.) breeding. This study examined the responses of six forage-type oat cultivars under four levels of saline stress over the vegetative growth cycle. Crop growth, water status-related traits and nitrogen status-related traits were analyzed in different plant parts to evaluate effective approaches for identifying salt tolerance. Plant biomass, height, tiller number and culm thickness changed substantially during salinity, but they were not precise enough for use in estimating genotypic salinity tolerance during long-term stress. Genotypes bearing larger numbers of tillers showed greater sensitivity to salinity due to its effects on biomass loss. Tolerant genotypes exhibited higher relative shoot biomass together with higher water use efficiency. The concentrations of Na⁺, K⁺ and their ratio, combined with the δ¹³C in shoots and roots were effective indicators for estimating tolerant genotypes through better water maintenance. N concentrations of shoots were the most efficient for evaluating genotypic tolerance. Low nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) activity might be key factors limiting N accumulation. Chlorophyll (Chl) content and net photosynthetic rate, as well as stomatal conductance and evaporation, were useful for identifying salinity tolerance physiological mechanisms, but the effectiveness was low for genotypic tolerance testing for forage type oats due to the interaction between genotypes and salinity levels. The selection of high salinity-tolerant genotypes should focus on genotypes with photosynthetic resilience to salt, followed by high N metabolism (higher NR and GS activities) to ensure accumulation of more N in the shoot dry matter.

Salinity has some adverse effects on the morphology and physiology in many crops. To alleviate the damages of salinity, the applications of calcium nitrate on quinoa-treated NaCl (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) were investigated under the supported-hydroponic environment. The plants were exposed to 200mM NaCl with 20mM and 150mM Ca (NO ₃ ) ₂ (EC 18.61~37.85 ds·m ^-1 and osmotic potential -0.89~-1.71MPa), and sampled for measurements of osmotic potential, stomatal characteristics, and root characteristics. The presence of 200 mM NaCl alone decreased the relative parameters in different degrees. In all treatments, the indexes on stomatal characteristic were decreased with increasing electrical conductivity (EC) levels except for stomatal density. Stomatal conductance decreased more markedly when osmotic potential reached -0.89Mpa. Increasing in stomatal density observed in higher Ca(NO ₃ ) ₂ level (150mM) might be caused by the inhibition of cell division in the epidermis , which was also due to reduction of osmotic potential of the solutions.A similar trend was observed for osmotic potentials in the same tissue, which were deceased with increasing EC of the solutions. Although no significant differences in the all treatments were observed for the average diameter of roots, the beneficial effect of Ca(NO ₃ ) ₂ application at the concentration of 20 mM was significant in projected area, surface area, and volume. The phenomenon showed that moderate reduction in osmotic potential was favorable to cell extension due to maintaining cell turgor pressure. Much lower osmotic potential possibly inhibited cell division of root apical meristem. From the above results, it might be concluded that the effects of Ca(NO ₃ ) ₂ applications depended on the concentration, while the significant differences between the stomata and root morphology represented the tissue-specific as well.