Effect of Temperature, Salinity and Sodium Bicarbonate on Germination of Russian Tumbleweed (Salsola ruthenica Iljin.)

Russian tumbleweed (Salsola ruthenica Iljin.) is a plant, which commonly places in agricultural areas, orchards, and roadsides. The aim of this study is to obtain information about seed germination physiology of Russian tumbleweed. The results may help improve control strategies for this weed, and enlighten to further studies. For this purpose, mature seeds of Russian tumbleweed were collected from the areas of near Lake Van in 2015. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory conditions to determine the effect of temperature, salinity (NaCl), and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) on seed germination of Russian tumbleweed. Seeds were germinated at five alternating temperatures (5/10, 10/20, 15/25, 20/30, and 25/35 oC), five salt concentrations (0, 200, 400, 600, and 800 mM NaCl) and five sodium bicarbonate concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mM NaHCO3) with a 12 h photoperiod. OGT obtained at 15/25 oC and germination percentage was 71.5%. The highest germination rate was determined at 0 mM (control) NaCl and NaHCO3, 71.5% and 65.5%, respectively. Finally, although it is known a halophyte plant, Russian tumbleweed hasbetter germination rates when it place salt or soda free mediums