Water stress induced by mannitol and sodium chloride in soybean cultivars

Abstract

Four soybean (Glycine max L. Merril.) cultivars were contrasted in relation to germination and vigour of seedlings, when seeds were submitted to water stress induced by mannitol or sodium chloride. Water stress affected seed germination and seedling development, however, seedling development was affect in higher osmotic potential (-0.3MPa) than the necessary to affect germination -1.2MPa when induced by mannitol or -0.6MPa when induced by sodium chloride. 'Pioneira' and 'Xingu' cultivars had high development in low water availability and/or salinity conditions.