EFFECTS OF SODIOUM CHLORIDE SALINITY ON GERMINATION OF RAPESEED CULTIVARS

Abstract

Eighteen cultivars of rapeseed were compared for salt tolerance at germination and seedling stages. In germination experiment seeds were placed in petri dishes and in seedling experiment seeds were placed between rolled papers and exposed to five salinity levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mM NaCl), for seven days at 20±2°C. Germination percent, coefficient velocity of germination, length of shoot and root were decreased, however, first and last day of germination were increased with increasing salt levels. Germination and root or shoot growth were stimulated by low concentration of salt (i.e. 50 mM NaCl). However, after second day for germination experiment and 3-6 days for seedling experiment, control treatment surpassed other treatments. Tolerant cultivars had higher germination percent, germination rates and good growth, especially in root, than others. Shoot Per Root/Ratio in tolerant cultivars was lower than other cultivars. This suggests that the roots of these cultivars were less affected were by salt.