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The role of hull in
germination and salinity tolerance in some sunflower (Helianthus
annuus L.) cultivars
Mehmet Demir Kaya
Central
Research Institute for Field Crops, Ministry of Agriculture
and Rural Affairs, 06170 Yenimahalle, Ankara-Turkey.
E-mail:
demirkaya76@hotmail.com. Tel: 90 312 3431050 – 140.
Accepted
29 December, 2009 |
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Six different NaCl levels (0, 5, 10,
20, 30 and 40 dS m-1) and two seed
types (hulled and dehulled) of sunflower seeds of Opal,
Shelly (Confectionary) and Pactol (Oily) were tested to
determine the effects of the hull on salinity tolerance
during germination. Germination percentage
(%), mean germination time (day), root and
shoot length (cm)
were investigated. Kernel type seeds exhibited higher
germination percentage, longer root and shoot length and
lower mean germination time compared to the achene type
seeds at all NaCl levels. Both achene and kernel type seeds
of cv. Pactol gave the highest germination percentage, root
and shoot length. Hull was responsible for delaying
germination and water uptake by seeds while it had no role
in lowering the toxic effects of NaCl during germination.
Therefore, it was concluded that inhibition in germination
at all levels of NaCl was mainly due to osmotic barriers
created by the presence of hulls rather than salt toxicity.
Key
words:
Sunflower, Helianthus annuus L., hull, NaCl,
cultivar, germination. |
