Effects of different concentrations of polyethylene glycol on seeds germination of Miscanthus sinensis and Triarrhena sacchariflora

Effects of different concentrations of polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution on seeds germination of Miscanthus sinensis and Triarrhena sacchariflora were studied. The results showed that the low concentration PEG (5%-10%) had no significant effects on the seed germination rate of M.sinensis and T.sacchariflora, but it increased the germination index, vigor index, radicle length and radicle fresh weight of M.sinensis and plumules growth of T.sacchariflora. However, high PEG concentration (15%-20%) inhibited growth of seedlings and reduced the germination rate, germination index, vigor index and radicles length／plumule length significantly（P0.05）. The half of lethal concentration of T.sacchariflora was 15% and the lethal concentration was 20%, while the half of lethal concentration of M.sinensis was 15% and the lethal concentration was higher. Thus, the drought resistance of M.sinensis was better than T.sacchariflora.