Exploration of ecological benefits of Conyza Canadensis — analysis and evaluation of the effects of Conyza Canadensis water extract, ascorbic acid, and gibberellin on the salt tolerance to several crops at seed germination

Abstract

Soil salinity poses a major threat to plant growth and food security. Seed germination are more sensitive to salinity stress. In this study, sorghum, wheat, tomato and peanut were used to analyze and evaluate (using the membership function method) the salt tolerance at the germination with three exogenous substances - Conyza Canadensis water extract (CCE), ascorbic acid (AsA), and gibberellin (GA3). At the germination stage, the germination rate, the germination energy and the germination vigor index are measured and the membership function values (MFVs) are calculated. After salt-tolerant analysis and evaluation, the sequence of salt tolerance is sorghum ≈ wheat > tomato > peanut. AsA and GA3 can significantly improve the salt tolerance of crops(P<0.05). Interestingly, CCE can also improve the salt tolerance in germination stage (sorghum, wheat and tomato) (P<0.05). Therefore, Conyza Canadensis has shown ecological benefits in improving the salt tolerance of some crops.