Seed characteristics and salt tolerance evaluation in hybrid offspring of genus <italic>Elaeagnus</italic>

Objective This study aims to explore the characteristics of salt tolerance of genus Elaeagnus plants. Method In this study，the hybrid offspring of E. pungens and Elaeagnus×ebbingei planted in the saline-alkali land of Yancheng City，Jiangsu Province was collected to explore their seed characteristics and responses to salt stress. Result （1）The seeds are yellowish-brown，oval-shaped，and ribbed，with a total amino acid content of 1.81%.They are rich in minerals，especially potassium.The germination rate of seeds is closely related to the sowing season，which in May can reach 80.3%.（2）The edible rate of the pulp collected from 2018 to 2020 ranged from 71.89% to 77.34%.Except for 2018，the sugar-acid ratio of the fruits was all above 5，and none of the contents of mineral elements exceeded the national hygiene standards for the limits of heavy metals in food.（3）The gradient salt stress test showed that with the increase of NaCl concentration，the content of osmotic regulatory substances and the activity of the antioxidant enzyme system in seeds changed differently.The contents of Na+ and K+ contents in leaf and fruit tissues were also different.The K+/Na+ ratio in young leaves and seeds is higher than that in mature leaves and pulp. Conclusion These combined results indicated that the hybrid offspring maintains the function and quality of seeds under salt stress through the synergistic effect of different osmotic regulatory substances and antioxidant enzyme systems，as well as the selective absorption and transport of different elements.