Estimates of Genetic Parameters for Seed Germination of Safflower in Different Salinity Levels

This study carried out to clear the effects of NaCl salinity on seed germination characteristics of different generation progenies in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). Seeds of parents, F1 and F2 generations of 3 crosses of Safflower along with their reciprocals were germinated in three salinity levels of 0, 0.5 and 1% of NaCl. The percent and rate of germination and also seedling root length were measured. The effect of genotype, salinity and the genotype x salinity level interaction were highly significant for all of the traits. Estimates of heterosis (based on high parent) and inbreeding for germination percent in all crosses and salinity levels varied from -7.4 to 9.7% and -4.4 to 4.3%, respectively. These estimates ranged from -10.4 to 41.9% and -10.4 to 24.5% for rate of germination and from -17.3 to 37.0% and -27.0 to 29.3% for seedling root length, respectively. For salinity levels of 0.5 and 1% hybrid seeds were superior to their parent`s in terms of percent and rate of germination and also length of seedling root.