RESUMO
In this paper, different arid environments in the limestone area of Southwest China were simulated by using different concentrations (0%, 5%, 15%, 25%, and 30%) of PEG6000 (polyethylene glycol), and a gradient of exogenous Ca2+ (0, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mmol x L(-1) of CaCl2) was installed to simulate the high calcium soil environments, aimed to study the effects of different concentration PEG6000, CaCl2, and their interactions on the seed germination characteristics of Koelreuteria bipinnata, one of the preferred species in the ecological restoration in limestone area. Under the action of CaCl2 alone, medium or low concentration exogenous Ca2+ had lesser effect on the seed germination parameters, but high concentration exogenous Ca2+ had inhibition effect on the seed germination. Medium or low concentration CaC12 could increase the seedling fresh biomass. When the PEG6000 concentration increased from 0% to 25%, the seed germination rate, germination potential, germination index, and vigor index showed a significant decreasing trend, and the seedling fresh biomass decreased remarkably. When certain concentration of exogenous Ca2+ was exerted to the drought treatment groups, medium or low concentration CaCl2 improved the seed germination characteristics, which compensated the loss from drought stress to a certain degree. When the CaCl2 concentration was up to 30 mmol x L(-1), the seeds were hard to germinate. Additionally, no seeds germinated under the condition of PEG with the concentration of 30%. It was suggested that applying definite concentration of exogenous Ca2+ could increase the seedling fresh biomass under PEG6000 stress, and make the seedlings more adapt to arid environment.
