Document Type : Complete scientific research article
Authors
1
Department of Plant Production and Genetic Engineering, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
2
Department of Agricultural Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
3
Research and Department of Chromatography, Iranian Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Urmia, Iran
10.22069/ejcp.2026.23550.2679
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Salinity stress is one of the most important environmental challenges that is increasingly felt, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Different plants respond differently to salinity, and understanding these responses can help improve agricultural practices and increase plant resilience. Galega (Galega officinalis L.) is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the family Lepidaceae. Its aerial part contains a set of substances that lower blood sugar and this plant is used as an antidiabetic. In addition to agricultural applications, Galega also has medicinal properties. In traditional medicine, it is used to treat various diseases including diabetes, digestive problems, and inflammation. Galega, as a valuable source of protein and fodder, has been considered due to its morphological and functional characteristics under adverse environmental conditions. This study was conducted to investigate the responses of the yield and yield components of Galega to salinity stress treatment and different planting methods.
Materials and methods: This experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in three cultivation environments (greenhouse, regular pot in the open air and large pot in the field) in the 2024 crop year at Urmia University. Salinity stress was at three levels, 0.1 (control), 5 and 10 dS/m. Various agronomic traits such as grain yield, morphological traits, sodium, potassium and proline were measured. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SAS software (version 9.1) and MATATC and comparison of means was also performed using the LSD test at a 5% error probability level. For data obtained through counting (number of secondary and main branches), square root transformation was performed using SPSS software (version 16) and then mean comparison was performed.
Results: Salinity stress in all three cultivation conditions caused a reduction in plant height, number of secondary and main branches, biomass, yield, yield components and leaf potassium and an increase in proline and sodium content compared to the control. In the greenhouse conditions, the plants did not enter the reproductive stage. The highest plant height (71.66 cm) and weight of 1000 seeds (5.37 g) were obtained in field at control plants and the lowest plant height (31.64 cm) and weight of 1000 seeds (4.33 g) were obtained in outdoor pot at the salinity of 10 dS/m. Galga field cultivation produced the highest seed yield (5.82 g per plant) and outdoor pot cultivation produced the lowest seed yield (2.35 g per plant) in no-salt conditions.
Conclusion: The comparison between salinity stress treatments showed that Galga pot cultivation in outdoor at salinity of 5 and 10 dS/m produced the maximum yield and also due to the superiority of water consumption efficiency based on seed yield, this cultivation method is recommended for saline conditions.
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