Effects of salinity stress on barley (hordeum vulgare, l.) Germination and seedling growth

ABSTRACT: In this study the effect of salt stress on germination and seedling growth of four barley cultivars (Hordeum vulgare, L.) was investigated. Seeds of barley were located in three levels of salt media (0, 50, 100 mM NaCl) under dark condition for germination. Results indicated that increased salinity caused a significant reduction in percentage of germination and seed germination rate. The highest germination percentage was recorded at normal condition. Also increasing salt levels caused a significant reduction in root and shoot length at the seedling stage. In this study LISIVE and DASHT cultivars showed the highest tolerance to salinity stress.