The Effect of Salinity (NaCl) on the Germination and Seedling of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.)

This study was carried out to investigate seed germination and seedling of cabbage and sugar beet in four treatments of salinity including 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5％ NaCl. The results showed that different treatments of salinity had considerable effects on the germination and root and shoot length of cabbage and sugar beet. Percent of germination in both species showed significant decrease with increasing salinity up to 1.5％ NaCl. This decrease was more evident in cabbage when compared to sugar beet. The required time for germination increased with high levels of salinity. The seedling growth of both species were inhibited by all salinity levels. Particularly at 1.0 and 1.5％ NaCl, no measurable length was observed in cabbage and sugar beet. At 0.5％ NaCl root growth of both plant species was more affected as compared to shoot growth by salinity.