Salinity, of both soil and water, is one of the main causes of crop yield decline. Within this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different salts on the germination of chia seeds. The experiment was conducted in a BOD chamber at a constant temperature of 20 °C and in the presence of light. The seeds were placed on paper soaked with aqueous solutions of calcium chloride (CaCl₂), sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), and magnesium chloride (MgCl₂), at the osmotic potentials zero, -0.10, -0.20, -0.30, and -0.40 MPa. The effect of the salinity was evaluated using a germination test, with counts on days 7 and 14 after sowing. Based on the results, chia seeds tolerate concentrations of NaCl to -0.4 MPa and KCl to -0.20 MPa. The salts CaCl₂ and MgCl₂ had a negative effect on the germination and vigor of the chia seeds for the osmotic potentials -0.30 MPa and -0.20 MPa, respectively.

Among biotic and abiotic stresses, the most restrictive for plant distribution is salt stress, where different concentrations might exert harmful effects on seed germination. Recently, nanomaterials were used successfully to mitigate these stresses, indicating that plants may be able to develop normally in adverse conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of graphene oxide (GO) on the germination of Persian clover seedlings under salt stress conditions. Following sown on substrate paper, seeds were tested after exposure to different concentrations of graphene oxide (0, 125, 250, or 500 mg L^-1 GO), sodium chloride (0; -0.1; -0.2; -0.3, or -0.4 MPa NaCl) and/or GO + salt concomitantly, and then stored for 7 days in a germination chamber at 20°C in the presence of light. Seed germination and growth parameters of seedlings were determined. Graphene oxide demonstrated protective effect against salt stress as evident by no marked adverse effects on seed germination where GO blocked the salt-induced reduction in germination. The results obtained provide references for the safe application of nanomaterials and emphasize the significance of GO as a promising material for reducing the toxicity of salts in agriculture.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da luz, temperatura e estresse hídrico no potencial fisiológico de sementes de funcho. O experimento foi conduzido em duas etapas. Na etapa I, as sementes foram semeadas sobre papel nas temperaturas constantes de 20, 25, 30ºC e alternada de 20-30ºC na presença e ausência de luz. Na etapa II, as sementes foram colocadas sobre papel embebido em solução aquosa de polietileno glicol (PEG 6000) nos potenciais osmóticos correspondentes a zero; -0,05; -0,10; -0,15; -0,20; -0,25; -0,30MPa. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições. Conforme os resultados pode-se concluir que a germinação das sementes de funcho ocorre tanto na presença quanto na ausência de luz.. As sementes de funcho, germinam melhor nas temperaturas constantes de 20, 25 e e alternada de 20-30ºC e a temperatura de 30ºC não é adequada para o teste de germinação. A diminuição dos potenciais osmóticos com polietileno glicol 6000, a partir de -0,1MPa, reduz drasticamente a germinação e o vigor das sementes de funcho, sendo o vigor mais afetado que a germinação.

Excessive amounts of salts and soil water deficiency interfere on seed germination and the full development of several crops. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of water stress and salinity on the germination process and initial growth of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) seedlings. In the first experiment, two quinoa seed lots with different physiological conditions were distributed on paper soaked in aqueous solution containing polyethylene glycol PEG-6000 in osmotic potentials corresponding to 0.0; -0.1; -0.2; -0.3 and -0.4 MPa and held at 20 °C under 8 hours of light exposition. In the second experiment, solutions of sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2) and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) were used to simulate the effect of salinity using the osmotic potentials, temperature and light conditions previously described. Assessed parameters were the germination percentage, first count, length and dry mass of seedlings. There was a reduction in quinoa germination percentage, first seed count and seedling length as the osmotic potential decreased in CaCl2, NaCl, KCl, MgCl2 and PEG-6000 solutions. The quinoa seeds exhibited higher tolerance to NaCl and KCl salts in the germination process and initial seedling growth. The progressive reduction of the osmotic potential induced by salts NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2 and PEG-6000 negatively affects seed germination and initial growth of quinoa seedlings.

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal commonly introduced into agricultural soils through phosphate fertilizers. Cadmium accumulation poses serious risks to human health, crop productivity, and environmental sustainability. Although the toxic effects of Cd on plant development are well documented, effective and sustainable strategies to mitigate its impact on seed germination and early plant growth remain limited. Nanomaterials such as graphene oxide (GO) demonstrated potential in alleviating abiotic stress, but application in Cd-contaminated agricultural systems requires further investigation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the potential of GO as a possible mitigator of adverse Cd-initiated effects on seed germination and initial growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings. Rice seeds were treated with varying concentrations of GO (0 to 500 mg/L), Cd chloride (0 to 0.4 mM), and combination of GO + Cd chloride simultaneously. The experiment was conducted on a germitest paper, where the rolls were kept for 7 days in a germination chamber (25 ± 2 °C and 12 hr light). The germination and seedling growth were subsequently assessed. Cadmium exposure inhibited seed germination and early seedling development, particularly at concentrations from 0.1 mM. Graphene oxide, on the other hand, proved to be a suitable alternative to mitigate Cd-induced stress, showing a significant enhanced germination at concentrations of up to 250 mg/L. Graphene oxide demonstrated potential as a protective agent against Cd-induced toxicity in rice seeds, suggesting its promising application in improving crop resilience in metal-contaminated environments.