Evaluation of seed size and NaCl stress on germination and early seedling growth of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) – IJAAR

Leila Yari, Faezeh Daryaei, Hossein Sadeghi

Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Research Institute, Karaj, Iran

Department of Agriculture, Payam Noor University, Qom, Iran

Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Research Institute, Karaj, Iran

Key words: Sunflower, Seed size, NaCl, Germination, Seed vigo.

Abstract

Sunflower is well adapted plant to tolerate moderately saline soil conditions. In order to investigate this circumstance, an experiment was conducted as a factorial with three factors arranged in completely randomized design with 4 replications and 50 seeds per replicate. Three cultivars (Azrgol, Eurofler and Record) made first factor, the second was made of seed size (small and large) and different NaCl solution levels (0.0, 10 and 15 ds.m- 1) made the third one. Germination percentage (%), mean germination time (day), root and shoot length (cm) and seedling dry weight (g) were investigated. Helianthus annuus In general, small size seeds germinated rapidly compared to large size ones of the same cultivars under salt stress. Also, NaCl caused lower root and shoot length but higher mean germination time. Interaction between seed size × cultivar × NaCl levels had different response to germination percentage. Small size seeds of Azargol and Record showed the highest germination percentage values at all NaCl concentration, while the maximum germination percentage was obtained in large size seeds of Eurofler cultivar under all levels of salt stresses. In conclusion, small size seeds can also be used for sunflower production in saline soils to achieve better stand establishment.