Effect of NaCl and PEG-Induced Osmotic Stress on Germination and Seedling Growth Properties in Wild Mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.)

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of NaCl and peg-induced osmotic stress on the germination and early seedling growth of wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.) in 2016. The seeds of mustard used in this study were obtained from plants growing under wild conditions in the Konya, Turkey. Trials were carried out to study the effects of osmotic potential of polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) solutions at seven levels (0, -2, -4, -6, -8, -10 and -12 bars) and salt concentrations at eight levels (0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 dSm-1) on seedling growth of wild mustard. Under PEG and salt stress the radicula length (cm), plumula length (cm), seedling fresh weight (mg), seedling dry weight (mg), final germination percentage (%), germination index (%) and seedling vigor index (%) were measured in the study. Final germination percentage and seedling growth parameters decreased by concentration of -4 to -10 bar for PEG stress; final germination percentage decreased by 10 dSm-1 (-4.4 bar) and seedling growth parameters decreased by 5 dSm-1 (-2.2 bar) for NaCl stress. Both NaCl and PEG treatments decreased final germination percentage and seedling growth properties in wild mustard, but the effects of NaCl compared to PEG were less on germination. Seed germination was completely inhibited at -12 bar for PEG stress, 35 dSm-1 (-15.6 bar) for NaCl stress