Effects of salt stress on germination and early seedling growth of rice (Oryza sativa) cultivars in Iran

Abstract

An experiment was carried out in 2009, in order to investigate the effects of salt stress (S₁= 0.0, S₂ = 2.0, S₃ = 4.0, S₄= 6.0 and S₅= 8.0 ds.m^-2 Nacl) on germination and seedling properties of three rice cultivars (Anbar, LD and Hamar). Experiment was arranged as split-plot based on randomized complete block design in three replications, with the salinity levels in main plots and rice cultivars in subplots. The results indicate that all traits were significantly (P≤0.05) affected by salt stress, where germination, plumule and radicle length and weight were decreased with increasing in salt concentration. The extent of these reductions was related with the variations in rice cultivar under different salt stress condition. By increasing NaCl concentration, seed germination delayed and decreased in all cultivars. Regarding the relationship between speed of germination and seed vigor, salt stress decreased seed vigor of rice cultivars LD a superior cultivar under all salt stress which can be suggested for cultivation under salinity condition.

Key words: Salinity, seed germination, seedling property, seed vigor.