Fiber flax germination at different temperatures and salinity stress conditions

Abstract

In this study the fiber flax (Linum usitassimum L.) cultivar Lirina was tested to seed germination under salinity of NaCl and two different temperatures. The experiment was set up in controlled conditions in fitotron (Aralab). There were two temperatures (10°C and 20°C) and different NaCl water solution used for salinity stress: 0 mM, 20 mM, 40 mM, 60 mM, 80 mM and 100 mM. There were 100 seeds sown in 4 replications. The germination energy (%) and germination rate (%) were determined on 3rd and 7th day, respectively. At the lower temperature (10°C) the seeds were not sprouted on 3rd day, whereas at higher temperature (20°C) mean germination energy was 31%. Germination rate (7th day) was quite similar at both temperatures (58% at 10°C and 59% at 20°C). The higher salinity stress of 80 and 100 mM had negative influence on germination energy as well germination rate. With increased salinity, the total seedlings length was also decreased. With increasing salinity (over 20 mM), the total seedlings length was also decreased. In out study, low salinity stress of 20 mM even increases the germination rate and germination energy and resulted with the longest seedlings of the fiber flax cultivar Lirina.