Drought Stress Response of Salvia miltiorrhiza at Different Growth Stages

Abstract: This study investigated the impact of drought stress on Salvia miltiorrhiza plants at various growth stages. Seeds of uniform size and integrity were surface-sterilized with 10% sodium hypochlorite (v/v) for 10 minutes and rinsed thoroughly with distilled water. Sterilized vermiculite (0.9 L) was placed in plastic pots (30 cm diameter ￗ 20 cm height), and seeds were sown at three different times: February (TF), May (TM), and July (TJ). This staggered planting schedule allowed for the plants to reach the seedling, vegetative, and reproductive growth stages, respectively, by October, when the drought treatment was applied. For each sowing group, 42 pots exhibiting consistent growth potential were selected and further divided into 7 treatment groups, with 6 replicates per treatment. This experimental design enables a comprehensive analysis of the physiological and biochemical responses of S. miltiorrhiza to drought stress across key developmental stages.