Dynamic Response of Key Germination Traits to NaCl Stress in Sugar Beet Seeds

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of two different concentrations of NaCl on germination traits of seeds of four sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) hybrids, including a commercial variety. The seeds were sown in Petri dishes with two levels of NaCl (60 and 180 mM) and the control (0 mM NaCl). Germination and water content and electrical conductivity, as a result of solute leakage from seeds, were analyzed through linear and nonlinear equations. Results showed that the commercial variety germination seemed to be more sensitive to a moderate salt concentration (60 mM NaCl) which, conversely, was not detrimental to water uptake and germination rate in the other hybrids. Adverse effects were more evident at higher salt level (180 mM NaCl), although to a different extent, in all hybrids and for most of the parameters evaluated. This study demonstrated that salinity could induce numerous disorders in sugar beet seeds during the germination process, the seriousness of which depended on both the salt level and genotype.