Effect of sodium chloride, potassium chloride on germination and growth of Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.)

Abstract

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is the second most important species of Millet belonging to family Poaceae. It is a cereal crop mainly planted in poor sites of East Asia. In the present study the impact of different concentrations (100 mM, 150 mM, 200 mM, and 250 mM) of NaCl, KCl separate and in combination of both these salts in equal amounts was studied on germination rate and some growth parameters of foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) using filter paper bioassay and pot experiment. Results showed that 100 mM of NaCl and KCl had the least effect on germination and growth of foxtail millet. However, under all the higher concentrations (150, 200, and 250 mM) of NaCl, KCl marked decrease in radicle length, plumule length, germination rate, stem length, stem thickness, leaves length, leaves number, number of tillers, whole plant weight, spike length, number of grains per spike and weight of 50 grains was recorded as compared to control plants. In combined salts stress, a marked reduction in all growth parameters of the test plant in all salt levels was recorded. It is concluded that with an increase in salt concentration, the effects of salt stress became more pronounced in all salt treatments. The results revealed that the effects of combined salts on the test plants were more pronounced as compared to the effects when the plants were treated with NaCl and KCl salts alone.