The effect of different salinity levels on germination characteristics of canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars

Soil salinity is a critical issue in agriculture, with far-reaching implications for food security and environmental sustainability. The improper use of irrigation water containing high levels of salts, combined with faulty agronomic practices such as unbalanced fertilization and the impacts of climate change, exacerbates this problem. Salinity affects soil and plant systems in various ways. In arid and semi-arid regions, soil and water salinity serves as a key limiting factor that significantly impacts crop yield and productivity. Salt tolerance during germination is particularly crucial, as it influences subsequent stages of plant growth and development. Thus, addressing soil salinity is essential for improving agricultural resilience and ensuring sustainable food production. Increasing salinity levels caused a significant decrease in the percentage and speed of germination, as well as the length and weight of roots and stems. However, the percentage reduction in each parameter varied. The cultivar × salinity interaction had a significant effect on all measured parameters. The different salinity stress levels had a significant effect on the germination percentage, germination speed, and shoot and root length of canola cultivars.

کلیدواژه ها:

Abiotic stress ، Variety ، Oil plants ، Salinity