Effects of Salinity on Seed Germination and Physiological Traits of Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)

 Water salinity is one of the most progressive environmental factors limiting the growth and productivity of plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of salt stress on seed germination and some quantitative trait of tall fescue. For this purpose, a laboratory experiment was conducted at seed laboratory, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan Branch. The traits were radicle and plumule length, fresh and dry weight of radicle and plumule and some properties of seed germination such as germination percent, mean germination time, germination speed, and germination energy and vigor index. Seeds were arranged in petri dishes with 4 replications in completely randomized design with six levels of water salinity including 0, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 dSm−1. The results indicated that salinity stress had significant effect on seed germination and physiological characteristics. The results indicated that salinity of irrigation water significantly reduced all studied properties exception of germination time. The values of these properties were continuously decreased with increasing salinity levels. However, time of germination in salinity levels of 4−7 dSm−1 was significantly higher than that distilled water. Seed vigor index was more affecting salinity stress than germination percent.