The effects of salinity on germination of three clover species(Trifolium spp.)

The effects of salinity levels of NaCl were examined on seed germination of three clover species: Trifolium pratense, T. resupinatum and T. repens. Salinity levels comprised of 0 (control), 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 milimolar NaCl. Treatments were arranged factorial design and were compared in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Results showed clover species, salinity levels and their interactions had a significant effect on germination percentage of clovers. As the level of salinity increased, seed germination decreased. In regard to salinity tolerance at germination stage,T. resupinatum was the most tolerant species and T. pratense and T. repens, were ranked as the second and third grade respectively. As the level of salinity increased,the percentage of abnormal seedling on T. resupinatum, the percentage of hard un-germinated seeds On T.pratense and the percentage of smooth un-germinated seeds on T. repens, were increased.