The Effect of Different NaCl Doses on Germination and Plant Growth of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

Abstract

Introduction: 1.5 million ha of Turkey’s land is affected by salinity which is equal to the 7% of agricultural land. The response of plants to the salt may be various depending on the growth period of the plants, the concentration of the salt and the duration that the salt is effective. In studies on salt stress many plant species were used until today. However, there are also plant species which grow easily in many soil structures such as buckwheat. Even though buckwheat plant is grown for grain, it is used as nectar source for bees and fodder crop.

Material and Methods: Pot and petri experiment were carried out in this study to determinate the effect of different NaCl concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150 mM) on germination and plant growth of Fogopyrum esculentum Moench. These experiments were done in the plants chamber with 25°C±1 temperature with 16 hours light/8 hour dark photoperiod. In the petri study, germination rate (%), plant height (cm), root length (cm), root and stem bioamass, and in the pots study, plant height (cm), number of leaves (number/plant), stem diameter (mm), aboveground fresh and dry weight (g), root fresh and dry weight (g), chlorophyll a and b values (mg FW) were determined. Results: Petri experiments: The highest plant height and root length were determined in 0 mM NaCl treatment (11.92 and 5.71 cm respectively), while they were lowest in 150 mM NaCl treatment (0.10-0.56 cm respectively). Stem and root biomass were ranged between 7.67-1965.7 g/ha and 36.08-629.63 g/ha respectively and the highest root and stem biomass values were determined in 25 mM NaCl traetment. Pot experiments: The highest plant height was determined in 0 mM NaCl treatment, while it was the lowest in 150 mM NaCl treatment. Number of leaves and stem diameter were ranged between 5.55-7.77 and 2.50-2.84 mm. The highest chlorophyll a and b were determined in 25 mM NaCl traetment (0.0052 and 0.0025 mg fresh weight respectively). Discussion: In a study which determines the effect of different NaCl doses on germination and plant growth of buckwheat, it is found out that experiments, when salt consantration increased, germination and plant growth were affetc negatively as a result of experiments. In addition, the root and stem biomass with chlorophyll a and b values were promoted by 25 mM NaCl. However, it was found out that 50 mM NaCl and higher consantrations had significant negative effect on the plant.