Effects of acid stress on germination, plasma membrane integrity and subcellular structure of Neyraudia reynaudiana seeds

•Neyraudia reynaudiana is a candidate species for phytoremediation of acidic mine wastelands.•We examined responses of N. reynaudiana seed germination to acid stress.•Neyraudia reynaudiana can tolerate acidity as low as pH 4.5.•Maintaining subcellular structure is one strategy of N. reynaudiana to acidity.•Root and epicotyl elongation reduced with increasing acidity due to cellular damage.