Effect of salt stress on germination of some palm species seeds

In this study, the germination reactions of seeds under salt stress were investigated in different origin of Washingtonia filifera, Phoenix theophrasti and Phoenix dactylifera were investigated. For this purpose, first of all, some morphological characteristics (diameter, length, and the thousand grain weight) and moisture percentages of the seeds were determined. Then, germination tests were performed at different salt stress levels (Control, 50,100, 150, 200, 300 and 400 mM) using NaCl solution. Germination tests were completed in an incubator at 25°C in 45 days. Before the tests, the surface sterilization was used on seeds. After the germination tests, the germination percentages (GP) and mean germination times (MGT) of the seeds were calculated. At the end of the study, as the salt stress level increased, a decrease in GP values and an increase in MGT values were observed. It has also been statistically proven that there are significant differences between species in terms of these values. Accordingly, the Nabi-sultan and Harissa origins of Phoenix dactylifera species were found to be more salt tolerant than Washingtonia filifera species, showing 86% and 68% GP at 200 mM salt stress level. The 300 mM salt stress level was found as the breaking point for the species GP values, and at the 400 mM salt stress level, no germination values were obtained in any species. In the study, according to the stress levels, the MGT in palm species ranged from 21.0 to 33.8 days. In addition, no germination values were obtained in Phoenix theophrasti at all salt stress levels. This situation can be explained by the fact that the seed is exposed to a biotic and abiotic factor or is not stored under appropriate conditions. According to the results of this study, the use of the species that were found to be more resistant to salinity in planting studies in saline soils may increase the success.