Effect of salinity on seed germination and early seedling growth of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

Abstract

Five varieties of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) were studied in order to assess the effect of NaCl on seed germination and growth of young seedlings. Five salt treatments, 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM NaCl were applied and germination was carried out at 21°C for 14 days. The results showed that germination percentage, rate of germination, and the relative germination percentage, were all inhibited by NaCl treatments. The strongest inhibition of germination occurred at the higher salt concentrations. Growth of young seedlings was also reduced, especially at the higher salt concentrations. The use of isotonic mannitol solutions indicated that the inhibitory influence of NaCl on sugar beet seed germination was principally a specific ionic effect and only a small portion of the inhibition could be attributed to an osmotic effect.