EFFECTS OF NaCl ON GERMINATION AND SEEDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT ONOBRYCHIS TAXA

In this study, 13 different Onobrychis taxa and genotypes were exposed to different NaCl concentrations (5, 10, 15 and 20 dS/m) and classified for their salt tolerances. Responses of 13 genotypes to salinity were compared for seed germination frequency, mean germination time (MGT) and plant growth parameters (shoot and root length, seedling fresh and dry weight). Increasing salinity levels remarkably decreased seed germination and shoot length, root length, seedling fresh weight but increased MGT. Current findings revealed that the effects of increasing NaCl doses varied based on genotypes. It was observed that all Onobrychis taxa could tolerate to a salinity level up to 10 dS/m, but Onobrychis stenostachya subsp. sosnowskyi, Onobrychis paucijuga and Onobrychis vicifolia were considered as more tolerant than the other taxa particularly at 15 dS/m salinity level. The taxa O. gracilis, O. cilicica and O. podperae were classified as moderately sensitive and the others were classified as moderately tolerant at germination and early seedling stage.