Influence of Seed Hardening Treatments on Germination and Seedling Behavior of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Varieties under Salinity Stress

LABORATORY experiments were carried out to study the effect of some seed hardening treatments (polyethylene glycol (PEG -6 bar), humic acid 1%, seawater 2000 ppm, seawater 2000 ppm^R, tap water and untreated seeds as a control) on germination and seedling growth of six sugar beet varieties. These varieties namely Soultan, Kawmira, Ras poly, Tenor, FD9901 and FD9902. Germination and seedling growth traits (germination percentage, germination rate, seedling length (cm), seedling fresh weight (mg) and seedling vigor) were determined. Results showed that all germination traits were significantly affected by the studied mitigation treatments, sugar beet varieties and their interaction. The highest values of germination %, as an average of all tested varieties were recorded with polyethyleneglycol (P.E.G -6 Bar) followed by that of humic acid 1% and seawater 2000 ppm^R . Enhancement percentages in germination and seedling growth traits were greater with all seed priming treatments compared to the control treatment (untreated seeds). The highest mean values of germination rate, seedling length (cm), seedling fresh weight (mg) and seedling vigor were recorded with humic acid treatment, while the lowest values of the above traits were recorded with the control treatment (untreated seeds). Kawmira and Soultan as the highly salt tolerant varieties recorded the highest values in germination and seedling growth traits. On the contrary the varieties FD9901 and FD9902 recorded the lowest values. The highest enhancement effect in germination percentages and seedling vigor were recorded with the two sensitive varieties FD9901 and FD9902 (at P.E.G (-6 bar), humic acid and S.W. 2000 ppmR.). On the contrary the lowest enhancement effect were recorded with the two highly salt tolerant varieties Kawmira and soultan.