In vitro evaluation of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), chilli (Capsicum annum L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) and Bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) for salinity stress

Abstract

Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses limiting yield potential. Salinity is even more harmful to seed germination and seedling development. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the salinity on germination and seedling growth in four different vegetable crops viz., tomato, chilli, cucumber and bhendi. In this study, germination percentage (%), shoot length (cm), root length (cm), root to shoot ratio, fresh and dry weight (g) were recorded at four different salinity levels (50 mM, 100 mM, 150 mM and 200 mM NaCl) and one control (0 mM NaCl). Significant differences were observed in all the traits in all crops in this study. Based on the germination percentage, by comparing the four crops, cucumber had the highest tolerance to the salinity which was followed by bhendi. The crops of tomato and chilli were more sensitive to salinity.