The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of drought and salinity stresses on germination, seedling growth and cell membrane stability of anise (
Pimpinella anisum) and fennel (
Foeniculum vulgare) in two separate experiments, using a completely randomized design with three replications in Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar Branch in 2013. Drought stress was applied by PEG 6000 and included 0, -2, -4, -6 and -8 bar and salinity treatments were 0, 40, 80 and 120 mM NaCl solutions. Salt and drought stresses significantly reduced germination percentage and seedling fresh weight of anise and fennel, but increased mean germination time and seedling electrical leakage. The results showed that the highest salinity and drought stresses levels increased seedling electrical leakage of anise by 83% and 76% compared with the control conditions. Moreover, seedling electrical leakage of fennel increased up to 77% and 75%, as compared with the control. The results showed that at germination stage, salt and drought stresses increased cell membrane damage, but decreased anise and fennel seedling growth.
Highlight:
- Variations in concentration and the rate of destruction of seedling membranes of anise and fennel plants were studied in response to environmental stresses.
- The germination characteristics of anise and fennel were studied under salt and drought stresses.
