%0 Journal Article
%T Sunflower (Helianthaus annuus L.) Seeds Germination in Saline Hydroculture
%J -
%D 2019
%X Salinity affects seed germination, many plant growth and yield traits. This study assessed seed response, quality, ability and phenetic relationship in three sunflower (Helianthaus annuus L.) varieties (SSL-803, SSL-807 and SSL-809) in eleven concentrations of NaCl + CaCl2 solutions (1:1 by weight). Electrical conductivity of the saline solutions ranged from 0.16 to 31.25 dS/m. The repeated factorial experiment (3x11) was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications in the screenhouse. Germination of 20 seeds per treatment was evaluated within five to ten days after culturing in filter-paper lined petri-dishes. Salinity above 15.63 dS/m significantly (p ¡Ü 0.05) inhibited seed germination; three seeds of twenty (16.7%) of variety SSL-809 and eight seeds (41.7%) of SSL-807 germinated in 18.75 dS/m solution, and high salinity (18.75 to 31.25 dS/m) caused seed discolouration and shrivelling in SSL-809 and SSL-803 varieties. Cluster analysis (Bray-Curtis¡¯ method) partitioned SSL-807 on a par with SSL-803 in terms of tolerance and adaptability to salinity, SSL-809 was at aversion with the two varieties in these traits. The variety SSL-807 is recommended for cultivation in soils with electrical conductivity below 21.88 dS/m and SSL-803 in saline environments below 18.75 dS/m. Future research on sunflower seed germination will be carried out on the field to verify and fully elucidate current studies
%K Helianthaus annuus L.
%K Seed Germination
%K Sunflower
%K Tropical Ecology
%K Salinity Tolerance
%U http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/journal/paperinfo?journalid=215&doi=10.11648/j.jps.20190704.11