Salt Stress Effects on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.) Genotypes

Abstract: Salt tolerance of twelve barley genotypes was investigated at the germination and seedling growth stages. Germination percentage, speed of germination, shoots and roots fresh weight, K and Na concentrations in the shoots and roots were measured. The genotypic responses varied among growth stages. At the germination stage root length and germination percentage were the most discriminating traits between sensitive and tolerant cultivars.  At the seedling growth stage, shoots fresh weight, K⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio were the discriminating traits. The evaluated genotypes were grouped into three clusters. The genotypes of first cluster were salt tolerant at the germination stage, those of the second and the third clusters were sensitive and tolerant, respectively, at both growth stages. The results indicated that high K concentration and K/Na ratio were the main differentiating traits among clusters.