Study on Provenance Variation in Phenotypic Traits and Salt Tolerance of Ulmus pumila Seeds

Yun Liang; Xiaochen Qin; Muzheng Hao; Hao Jiao; Peili Mao; Chen Su; Qingshan Yang; Xiaojun Lu; Zilong Zhang; Junlu Wang; Yongtao Li

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15

Research Article |

Study on Provenance Variation in Phenotypic Traits and Salt Tolerance of Ulmus pumila Seeds

Yun Liang, Xiaochen Qin, Muzheng Hao, Hao Jiao, Peili Mao^*, Chen Su, Qingshan Yang, Xiaojun Lu, Zilong Zhang, Junlu Wang, Yongtao Li

Published in American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry (Volume 14, Issue 4)

Received: 1 July 2026 Accepted: 11 July 2026 Published: 18 August 2026

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Abstract

Ulmus pumila, as a pioneer tree species for afforestation in saline-alkali soils in northern China, exhibits drought and salt tolerance, rapid growth, and strong adaptability. It performs well in saline soils with salt content ≤0.45% and demonstrates significant effectiveness in soil improvement for coastal saline-alkali lands. However, research on the phenotypic-salt tolerance synergistic response patterns and comprehensive evaluation of Ulmus pumila seeds at the seed source scale remains limited. To select superior Ulmus pumila provenances suitable for saline-alkali land, this study examined seed trait characteristics of 11 geographical provenances, along with their germination performance and early seedling growth under salt stress [0 (CK), 0.3%, 0.6%, 0.9%, and 1.2% NaCl solutions], and assessed the salt tolerance of each provenance. The results revealed significant differences among provenances in 1,000-seed weight, longitudinal diameter, transverse diameter, and their ratio. The Tai’an provenance exhibited the highest 1,000-seed weight, while the Nanjing provenance showed the lowest. With increasing salt concentration, seed germination, seedling growth, and root development were significantly inhibited, with notable differences observed among provenances. Among these, the Linqu provenance demonstrated the strongest germination capacity and the most robust root development. Correlation analysis indicated that 1,000-seed weight was significantly positively correlated with germination capacity, and seedling biomass was highly significantly positively correlated with germination level and root development. Based on a comprehensive evaluation using the membership function method, the salt tolerance of the 11 provenances was ranked as follows: Linqu > Tai’an > Harbin > Xingtai > Xianyang > Baicheng > Baiyin > Changyi > Nanjing > Taiyuan > Liaocheng.

Published in	American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry (Volume 14, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15
Page(s)	202-216
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Ulmus pumila, Provenance, Salt Stress, Seed Germination

References

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APA Style

Liang, Y., Qin, X., Hao, M., Jiao, H., Mao, P., et al. (2026). Study on Provenance Variation in Phenotypic Traits and Salt Tolerance of Ulmus pumila Seeds. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 14(4), 202-216. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15

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ACS Style

Liang, Y.; Qin, X.; Hao, M.; Jiao, H.; Mao, P., et al. Study on Provenance Variation in Phenotypic Traits and Salt Tolerance of Ulmus pumila Seeds. Am. J. Agric. For. 2026, 14(4), 202-216. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15

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AMA Style

Liang Y, Qin X, Hao M, Jiao H, Mao P, et al. Study on Provenance Variation in Phenotypic Traits and Salt Tolerance of Ulmus pumila Seeds. Am J Agric For. 2026;14(4):202-216. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15

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@article{10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15,
  author = {Yun Liang and Xiaochen Qin and Muzheng Hao and Hao Jiao and Peili Mao and Chen Su and Qingshan Yang and Xiaojun Lu and Zilong Zhang and Junlu Wang and Yongtao Li},
  title = {Study on Provenance Variation in Phenotypic Traits and Salt Tolerance of Ulmus pumila Seeds},
  journal = {American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry},
  volume = {14},
  number = {4},
  pages = {202-216},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajaf.20261404.15},
  abstract = {Ulmus pumila, as a pioneer tree species for afforestation in saline-alkali soils in northern China, exhibits drought and salt tolerance, rapid growth, and strong adaptability. It performs well in saline soils with salt content ≤0.45% and demonstrates significant effectiveness in soil improvement for coastal saline-alkali lands. However, research on the phenotypic-salt tolerance synergistic response patterns and comprehensive evaluation of Ulmus pumila seeds at the seed source scale remains limited. To select superior Ulmus pumila provenances suitable for saline-alkali land, this study examined seed trait characteristics of 11 geographical provenances, along with their germination performance and early seedling growth under salt stress [0 (CK), 0.3%, 0.6%, 0.9%, and 1.2% NaCl solutions], and assessed the salt tolerance of each provenance. The results revealed significant differences among provenances in 1,000-seed weight, longitudinal diameter, transverse diameter, and their ratio. The Tai’an provenance exhibited the highest 1,000-seed weight, while the Nanjing provenance showed the lowest. With increasing salt concentration, seed germination, seedling growth, and root development were significantly inhibited, with notable differences observed among provenances. Among these, the Linqu provenance demonstrated the strongest germination capacity and the most robust root development. Correlation analysis indicated that 1,000-seed weight was significantly positively correlated with germination capacity, and seedling biomass was highly significantly positively correlated with germination level and root development. Based on a comprehensive evaluation using the membership function method, the salt tolerance of the 11 provenances was ranked as follows: Linqu > Tai’an > Harbin > Xingtai > Xianyang > Baicheng > Baiyin > Changyi > Nanjing > Taiyuan > Liaocheng.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Study on Provenance Variation in Phenotypic Traits and Salt Tolerance of Ulmus pumila Seeds
AU  - Yun Liang
AU  - Xiaochen Qin
AU  - Muzheng Hao
AU  - Hao Jiao
AU  - Peili Mao
AU  - Chen Su
AU  - Qingshan Yang
AU  - Xiaojun Lu
AU  - Zilong Zhang
AU  - Junlu Wang
AU  - Yongtao Li
Y1  - 2026/08/18
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15
T2  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
JF  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
JO  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
SP  - 202
EP  - 216
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8591
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15
AB  - Ulmus pumila, as a pioneer tree species for afforestation in saline-alkali soils in northern China, exhibits drought and salt tolerance, rapid growth, and strong adaptability. It performs well in saline soils with salt content ≤0.45% and demonstrates significant effectiveness in soil improvement for coastal saline-alkali lands. However, research on the phenotypic-salt tolerance synergistic response patterns and comprehensive evaluation of Ulmus pumila seeds at the seed source scale remains limited. To select superior Ulmus pumila provenances suitable for saline-alkali land, this study examined seed trait characteristics of 11 geographical provenances, along with their germination performance and early seedling growth under salt stress [0 (CK), 0.3%, 0.6%, 0.9%, and 1.2% NaCl solutions], and assessed the salt tolerance of each provenance. The results revealed significant differences among provenances in 1,000-seed weight, longitudinal diameter, transverse diameter, and their ratio. The Tai’an provenance exhibited the highest 1,000-seed weight, while the Nanjing provenance showed the lowest. With increasing salt concentration, seed germination, seedling growth, and root development were significantly inhibited, with notable differences observed among provenances. Among these, the Linqu provenance demonstrated the strongest germination capacity and the most robust root development. Correlation analysis indicated that 1,000-seed weight was significantly positively correlated with germination capacity, and seedling biomass was highly significantly positively correlated with germination level and root development. Based on a comprehensive evaluation using the membership function method, the salt tolerance of the 11 provenances was ranked as follows: Linqu > Tai’an > Harbin > Xingtai > Xianyang > Baicheng > Baiyin > Changyi > Nanjing > Taiyuan > Liaocheng.
VL  - 14
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Yun Liang

Shandong Taishan Forest Ecosystem Positioning Observation and Research Station, College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
Xiaochen Qin

Shandong Taishan Forest Ecosystem Positioning Observation and Research Station, College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
Muzheng Hao

Dongying Promotion Center for Wetland City Construction, Dongying, China
Hao Jiao

Shandong Taishan Forest Ecosystem Positioning Observation and Research Station, College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
Peili Mao

Shandong Taishan Forest Ecosystem Positioning Observation and Research Station, College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China

Contact Email
Chen Su

Shandong Taishan Forest Ecosystem Positioning Observation and Research Station, College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai’an, China
Qingshan Yang

Shandong Academy of Forestry, Jinan, China

Contact Email
Xiaojun Lu

Dongying Shengjing Forestry Co., Ltd., Dongying, China
Zilong Zhang

Shandong Academy of Forestry, Jinan, China
Junlu Wang

Shandong Academy of Forestry, Jinan, China
Yongtao Li

Shandong Academy of Forestry, Jinan, China

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APA Style

Liang, Y., Qin, X., Hao, M., Jiao, H., Mao, P., et al. (2026). Study on Provenance Variation in Phenotypic Traits and Salt Tolerance of Ulmus pumila Seeds. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 14(4), 202-216. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15

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ACS Style

Liang, Y.; Qin, X.; Hao, M.; Jiao, H.; Mao, P., et al. Study on Provenance Variation in Phenotypic Traits and Salt Tolerance of Ulmus pumila Seeds. Am. J. Agric. For. 2026, 14(4), 202-216. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15

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AMA Style

Liang Y, Qin X, Hao M, Jiao H, Mao P, et al. Study on Provenance Variation in Phenotypic Traits and Salt Tolerance of Ulmus pumila Seeds. Am J Agric For. 2026;14(4):202-216. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15,
  author = {Yun Liang and Xiaochen Qin and Muzheng Hao and Hao Jiao and Peili Mao and Chen Su and Qingshan Yang and Xiaojun Lu and Zilong Zhang and Junlu Wang and Yongtao Li},
  title = {Study on Provenance Variation in Phenotypic Traits and Salt Tolerance of Ulmus pumila Seeds},
  journal = {American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry},
  volume = {14},
  number = {4},
  pages = {202-216},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajaf.20261404.15},
  abstract = {Ulmus pumila, as a pioneer tree species for afforestation in saline-alkali soils in northern China, exhibits drought and salt tolerance, rapid growth, and strong adaptability. It performs well in saline soils with salt content ≤0.45% and demonstrates significant effectiveness in soil improvement for coastal saline-alkali lands. However, research on the phenotypic-salt tolerance synergistic response patterns and comprehensive evaluation of Ulmus pumila seeds at the seed source scale remains limited. To select superior Ulmus pumila provenances suitable for saline-alkali land, this study examined seed trait characteristics of 11 geographical provenances, along with their germination performance and early seedling growth under salt stress [0 (CK), 0.3%, 0.6%, 0.9%, and 1.2% NaCl solutions], and assessed the salt tolerance of each provenance. The results revealed significant differences among provenances in 1,000-seed weight, longitudinal diameter, transverse diameter, and their ratio. The Tai’an provenance exhibited the highest 1,000-seed weight, while the Nanjing provenance showed the lowest. With increasing salt concentration, seed germination, seedling growth, and root development were significantly inhibited, with notable differences observed among provenances. Among these, the Linqu provenance demonstrated the strongest germination capacity and the most robust root development. Correlation analysis indicated that 1,000-seed weight was significantly positively correlated with germination capacity, and seedling biomass was highly significantly positively correlated with germination level and root development. Based on a comprehensive evaluation using the membership function method, the salt tolerance of the 11 provenances was ranked as follows: Linqu > Tai’an > Harbin > Xingtai > Xianyang > Baicheng > Baiyin > Changyi > Nanjing > Taiyuan > Liaocheng.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Study on Provenance Variation in Phenotypic Traits and Salt Tolerance of Ulmus pumila Seeds
AU  - Yun Liang
AU  - Xiaochen Qin
AU  - Muzheng Hao
AU  - Hao Jiao
AU  - Peili Mao
AU  - Chen Su
AU  - Qingshan Yang
AU  - Xiaojun Lu
AU  - Zilong Zhang
AU  - Junlu Wang
AU  - Yongtao Li
Y1  - 2026/08/18
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15
T2  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
JF  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
JO  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
SP  - 202
EP  - 216
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8591
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.15
AB  - Ulmus pumila, as a pioneer tree species for afforestation in saline-alkali soils in northern China, exhibits drought and salt tolerance, rapid growth, and strong adaptability. It performs well in saline soils with salt content ≤0.45% and demonstrates significant effectiveness in soil improvement for coastal saline-alkali lands. However, research on the phenotypic-salt tolerance synergistic response patterns and comprehensive evaluation of Ulmus pumila seeds at the seed source scale remains limited. To select superior Ulmus pumila provenances suitable for saline-alkali land, this study examined seed trait characteristics of 11 geographical provenances, along with their germination performance and early seedling growth under salt stress [0 (CK), 0.3%, 0.6%, 0.9%, and 1.2% NaCl solutions], and assessed the salt tolerance of each provenance. The results revealed significant differences among provenances in 1,000-seed weight, longitudinal diameter, transverse diameter, and their ratio. The Tai’an provenance exhibited the highest 1,000-seed weight, while the Nanjing provenance showed the lowest. With increasing salt concentration, seed germination, seedling growth, and root development were significantly inhibited, with notable differences observed among provenances. Among these, the Linqu provenance demonstrated the strongest germination capacity and the most robust root development. Correlation analysis indicated that 1,000-seed weight was significantly positively correlated with germination capacity, and seedling biomass was highly significantly positively correlated with germination level and root development. Based on a comprehensive evaluation using the membership function method, the salt tolerance of the 11 provenances was ranked as follows: Linqu > Tai’an > Harbin > Xingtai > Xianyang > Baicheng > Baiyin > Changyi > Nanjing > Taiyuan > Liaocheng.
VL  - 14
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download