Effect of Salinity on Germination Related Parameters of Linseed Genotypes (Linum usitatissimum L.) under Control Condition

Salinity is one of the important abiotic stresses causing impairment in germination of seeds. An in-vitro experiment was conducted under controlled conditions to determine the effects of salinity stress on germination of linseed genotypes (Linum usitatissimum L.). A total of 29 linseed genotypes were evaluated under five salinity levels (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 dS m-1) created by NaCl. Six germination related traits such as final germination percentage (GP), salt tolerance index (STI) of GP, mean daily germination percentage (MDG), germination initial time (GIT), maximum germination time (MGT) and germination duration time (GDT) were studied. Wide variations were recorded in the responses of the genotypes to salinity stress in terms of these traits. The GP, STI and MDG were reduced over control at different salinity levels. The reduction in GP ranged (2.09-14.54%), (8.38-27.28%), (10.48-48.28%) and (15.77-76.35%) with pooled mean of 7.66, 14.55, 26.63, 44.28 and 23.28% at 4, 8, 12 and 16 dS m-1, respectively. The reduction in MDG ranged (0.54-35.12%), (0.71-45.43%), (0.21-37.84%) and (3.07-69.14%) with pooled mean of 14.54, 21.04 and 36.32% at 4, 8, 12 and 16 dS m-1, respectively. The highest pooled mean of STI was found in BD-10708 (89.55%) which was statistically similar to Lin-1403 (88.08%) and Lin-W-17 (86.04%), while the lowest STI was recorded from BD-10710 (62.81%) which was statistically similar to Lin-V-16 (67.25), Lin-1303 (67.63%) and Lin-2403 (67.68%). So, BD-107808, Lin-1403 and Lin-W-17 were noted as the most salt tolerant genotypes. Responses of GIT, MGT and GDT were not consistent with salinity levels and genotypes.