Primary seedling growth attributes illustrate the salt-tolerance potential of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) genotypes
2015
Siddiqua, A. (University of Sargodha (Pakistan). Dept. of Horticulture) | Tariq, H. (University of Sargodha (Pakistan). Dept. of Horticulture) | Balal, R.M. (University of Sargodha (Pakistan). Dept. of Horticulture) | Shahid, M.A. (University of Sargodha (Pakistan). Dept. of Horticulture) | Javaid, M.M. (University of Sargodha (Pakistan). Dept. of Agronomy) | Aqeel, M.A. (University of Sargodha (Pakistan). Dept. of Entomology) | Zubair, M.
Salinity is an important constraint to crop productivity throughout the world, particularly in arid and semiarid regions. However, crop species and varieties within species vary greatly in their ability to tolerate salinity. The present study was conducted to study the growth behavior of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) genotypes under salinity stress. For this purpose, ten tomato genotypes were grown at 0, 25, 50 and 75 mM NaCl in plastic tubs filled with the fine sand and irrigated with Hoagland's nutrient solution. Results revealed that salinity stress markedly reduced the germination %, seedling length, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight as well as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents. Although all the levels of applied salinity caused marked reduction in plant growth characteristics but maximum decrease in germination% was recorded under highest salinity level (75 mM NaCl ). Moreover, the tested tomato genotypes behaved differently to salinity stress in term of germination and seedling growth. Among different tomato genotypes, Naqeeb and Riogrande showed minimum reduction in germination percentage, seedling biomass and chlorophyll content under varying levels of NaCl and ranked as salt tolerant, and might be recommended for cultivation in salt affected soils.
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