Sunflower (Helianthaus annuus L.) Seeds Germination in Saline Hydroculture

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 ≤ 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