Effect of Salinity on Germination, Seedling Growth and Acid Phosphatase Activity in Lettuce

Abstract

The impact of salt stress (NaCl 100 mM) on two lettuce varieties Romaine and Vista was conducted at germination and early seedling stages. The seeds of lettuce varieties were provided by the Seed Laboratory of Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture. The seeds were germinated in Petri dishes with double filter paper in distilled water (control) or NaCl solution (100 mM) for 5 days. The result showed that salinity significantly affected percentage and rate of germination in Vista variety but 100% of germination was found in Romaine. Length and fresh weight of root and shoot were reduced significantly with salt treatment in two lettuce varieties. Regarding biochemical analysis, acid phosphatase activity in root increased in Romaine and decreased in Vista. In shoot, this activity showed no difference with the control in the two varieties. However in cotyledons, and during 24 hours after germination, salinity decreased acid phosphatase activity in both varieties whereas in the later hours (48 - 96 h) this activity reached the value of the control in Romaine and Vista.