Effects of nitric oxide on seed germination and seedling growth of tall fescue under salt stress.

The effects of exogenous nitric oxide on seed germination and seedling growth in tall fescue under salt stress were studied with TP sowing method in September,2009.The results showed that tall fescue seed germination and seedling growth were improved under salt stress adding with 100 μM exogenous sodium nitroprusside(SNP).Seed germination and biomass increased of 107.6% and 24.5% in Arid3,and increased of 94.5% and 14.5% in Houndog5,respectively.These responses could be reduced by the treatment with the 1% NO scavenger,haemoglobin.SNP can generate products,such as NaNO2 and NO,and the former had not remarkable effects on seed germination and seedling growth of tall fescue under salt stress.So,it was suggested exogenous NO could protect seed germination and seedling growth of tall fescue from the salt stress in some degree.