Effects of High Temperature and Humidity Stress on Physiological Characteristics of Five Salvia Species

Abstract:

In order to explore the humidity and heat tolerance of Salvia species with high ornamental value, S. miltiorrhiza, S. daigui, S. cavaleriei, S. adiantifolia and 'Chendanyuebai' were planted in artificial climate chambers for simulating high temperature and high humidity environment. The morphological changes and physiological responses of Salvia were studied, and the humidity and heat tolerance of five Salvia species was comprehensively evaluated by membership function method. The results showed that the number of yellow leaves of 5 Salvia species increased significantly under stress, but the degree of damage by humidity and heat was not high, and all of them could be restored to normal growth after stress; under the complex stress, the chlorophyll content of these Salvia species decreased, relative conductivity and malondialdehyde content increased, indicating that the plants were damaged by moisture and heat to some extent. The superoxide dismutase activity and osmoregulatory substance content in Salvia species significantly increased after stress, showing an adaptive response. The moisture and heat tolerance of 5 Salvia species were in the order of S. daiguii ≈ S. adiantifolia > 'Chendanyuebai' ≈ S. miltiorrhiza > S. cavaleriei. Therefore, 'Chendanyuebai' showed strong resistance to humidity and heat, and could be introduced and cultivated.

Key words:Salvia;High temperature and humidity stress;Damp-heat resistance;Physiological characteristics