The Effects of Different Concentrations of NaCl and NaCl - CaCl2 Combinations on Germination, Emergence Performance and Seedling Growth of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench

Abstract

The Effects of Different Concentrations of NaCl and NaCl - CaCl2 Combinations on Germination, Emergence Performance and Seedling Growth of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench Aim: The study was carried out to investigate the effects of different concentrations of NaCl and NaCl - CaCl2 combinations on germination, emergence performance and seedling growth of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench Study Design: The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design (CRD). Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted at Department of Biological Sciences, Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria, between, January, 2016 and June, 2016. Methodology: Seeds of Sorghum bicolor were germinated in Petri-dishes which had been lined with Whatman No 1 filter papers. Treatments were control, NaCl (30, 60 and 120 mM) and combinations of NaCl and CaCl2. The filter paper in each of the Petri-dishes allocated to the control was moistened with 10 mL of water while those of the Petri-dishes allocated to the other treatments were moistened with 10 mL of the different concentrations of the salt solutions. The germination percentage, germination rate, water content of the seedlings and the growth parameters were determined according to conventional methods. Results: The germination and germination rate of the seedlings were not significantly reduced by 30 mM salt solution. Treatment with higher concentrations of salt solutions gave a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in germination and seedling growth. The lowest germination percentage was observed in the 120 mM NaCl regime. As salinity increased the germination and seedling growth decreased. Combinations of NaCl and CaCl2 improved the germination and seedling growth of the test crop compared to NaCl regimes Conclusion: The germination and seedling growth of NaCl treated S. bicolor was significantly inhibited. Combinations of NaCl and CaCl2 improved the germination and seedling growth of the test crop compared to NaCl regimes.