Evaluation of drought resistance of nine Cyperaceae species seeds during germination

To understand the ecological value and adaptability of different drought-resistant Cyperaceae species in terms of production and application, the relative germination rate, relative germination speed, relative germination index, relative plumule length, and relative radical length of nine Cyperaceae species were measured under simulated drought stress induced by different concentrations of PEG-6000 solution. Membership function analysis was used to evaluate drought resistance. The results showed that all seed germination indexes of the nine Cyperaceae species decreased as drought stress intensity increased, and there was a significant difference among the germplasms. When the concentration of PEG was ≤10%, the seed germination rates of Mariscus javanicus, Cyperus pilosus, Cyperus exaltatus, and Fimbristylis dichotoma were similar to that of the control. Drought stress with a low concentration of PEG solution (5%) promoted seed germination of germplasms such as M. javanicus, C. pilosus, and F. dichotoma. Based on the MFA of the drought resistance of the nine Cyperaceae species, the order of drought resistance was C. pilosus > Cyperus iria > C. exaltatus > Carex filicina > M. javanicus > Cyperus alternifolius > Pycreus flavidus > F. dichotoma > Carex cruciata.