Physiological response of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica – Lamiales: Lamiaceae) to salt stress

Abstract

The study of salinity tolerance provides valuable information about the propagation of species and can help in both characterizing cultures and in providing correct recommendations for cultivation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological response of chia seeds to salt stress. Seeds were placed on paper in aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl) at osmotic potentials equivalent to zero, -0.05, -0.10, -0.15, -0.20, -0.25, and -0.30 MPa. The parameters evaluated were germination percentage, first count, and germination speed index. According to the results, germination and vigor of the chia seeds decrease as salt concentration increases. Therefore, it was concluded that chia seeds are moderately tolerant to salinity levels used in this work and can be intolerant at lower osmotic potentials and in the early stages of seedling development.