World Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences

WRJAS

Vol. 3(1), pp. 048-053, March, 2016. www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: 2326-7266x

Research Article

Effect of different levels of salinity on germination

and early seedling growth of sunflower
Akhinur Shila1, M. Asadul Haque2*, Rayhan Ahmed3, M.H.K. Howlader4
1,3,4

Department of Agricultural Botany, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali-8602,
Bangladesh
2*
Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali-8602, Bangladesh
3
4
Co-authors Email: rayhan.rimon@gmail.com , howladercbt@yahoo.com
An incubation experiment was conducted at the Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali
Science and Technology University during Rabi season 2015 to investigate the salinity effect
on germination and early seedling growth of sunflower. There were ten treatments
consisting different concentrations of salinity viz. 0, 20, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 240, 280 and
320 mM NaCl. The germination experiment was conducted in petri dish lined with a layer of
cotton consisting ten ml of each test solution. Germination percentage gradually decreased
with the increase of concentration of salt. Up to 80 mM NaCl was identified as safe for
sunflower seed germination. Salinity cause delay in germination. Highest seedling height
was found at 40 mM NaCl concentration (13.09 cm) and root length (14.1 cm) in 20 mM NaCl
concentration. In 320 mM NaCl concentration roots were abnormal, deformed and twisted.
The 0 to 80 mM NaCl concentration gave statistically similar shoot fresh weight. Compared
to control treatment 20 and 40 mM NaCl concentration gave 0.57 and 4.65 % higher fresh
weight, respectively which indicates that lower concentration of salt favor plant growth. The
80 mM NaCl concentration could be identified as safe for germination and early seedling
growth of sunflower.
Key words: Coastal Bangladesh, sodium chloride, speed of germination, salinity, vigor index

INTRODUCTION
Salinity is a major environmental constraint to crop
productivity throughout the arid and semi-arid regions
of the world (Foolad and Lin, 1997). In Bangladesh,
there are approximately 2.85 million ha of coastal land
of which about one million ha are seriously affected by
varying degrees of salinity (SRDI 2010). About 30-50%
of net cropped areas in the coastal region remain fallow
in rabi season, mainly due to soil and water (irrigation)
salinity. The salinity increases in dry months showing a
peak in March-April and decreases in wet months with
the minimum in July-August.
Annual
precipitation
does
not
exceed
evapotranspiration, soluble salts tend to accumulate
and build-up in the soil of coastal regions, instead of
being leached, and can reach the levels inhibitory to
plant growth and development (Roychoudhury and
Chakraborty, 2013). The prevailing salinity intrusion
due to climate change has severely affecting the crop

productivity in the saline regions of Bangladesh (Haque

et al., 2014). The situation calls an urgent need to
improve crop productivity. Introduction of sunflower, a
high value oil seed crop, in the coastal saline soils
could be most profitable approach to improve food
production as well as income of the farmers. Seed
germination is a major factor limiting the establishment
of plants under saline conditions (Carpc et al., 2009).
Salinity may cause significant reductions in the rate and
percentage of germination, which in turn may lead to
uneven stand establishment and reduced crop yields
(Foolad et al., 1999).

*Corresponding author: Dr. Mohammad Asadul Haque,

Associate Professor, Department of Soil Science,
Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki,
Patuakhali-8602,
Bangladesh.
Email:
masadulh@yahoo.com Tel.: +880-1715-066089

Shila et al.

Salt tolerance at germination stage is important factor,

where soil salinity is mostly dominated at surface layer.
High concentration of salt has detrimental effects on
germination of seeds (Rahman et al., 2000; Sharma et
al., 2004; Saboora and Kiarostami, 2006). Plant growth
is ultimately reduced by salinity stress (Haque et al.,
2008, 2014). It is very important to know what extent of
salinity a sunflower variety can tolerate at germination
and early seedling growth. This information will help to
identify salt tolerant varieties and/or genotypes and to
develop saline soil management strategies. There are
very scanty research findings in this context. The
experiment is therefore conducted to investigate the
effects of different levels of salinity on germination
percentage and early seedling growth of sunflower.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was conducted at the laboratory of the
Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and
Technology University (PSTU), Dumki, Patuakhali
during the period from December 2014 to January
2015. The experiment was designed at completely
randomized design (CRD) with three replications. There
were ten treatments consisting different levels of
salinity. The treatments were 0, 20, 40, 80, 120, 160,
200, 240, 280 and 320 mM NaCl concentration. The
germination experiment was conducted in petri dishes
of 12 cm diameter lined with a thin layer of cotton. One
hybrid sunflower genotype BRAC Pacific Hysun 33 was
used in the experiment. This genotype was marketed
No.of germinated seeds
No.of germinated seeds
SG=
+ --- +
Days of final count
Days of first count
Data were statistically analyzed following F-test and the
mean comparisons were made at 0.05 probability level
by DMRT as outlined by Gomez and Gomez (1984).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Germination percentage
Germination percentage data was recorded starting
from 2 DAS to 12 DAS. In 2 and 3 DAS some
treatments had zero percent germination, thus
statistical analysis was not performed in that days. In
other days germination percentage was significantly
influenced by different levels of salinity. Table 1 shows
that at 2 DAS 0 and 20 mM NaCl concentration had
32% germination and 40 mM NaCl concentration had
26.7% germination. After 1 day (at 3 DAS) these three
treatments had 85.3, 82.7 and 70.7 % germination. It
indicates that most of the sunflower seed germinated
within 3 DAS. At 4 DAS highest germination (86.7%
was recorded at control treatment although it was not
statistically different with that found at 20 and 40 mM
NaCl concentration (85.3 and 81.3 %, respectively). All

by Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee

(BRAC). This variety is very popular for cultivation in
the non saline southern coastal regions of Bangladesh
specially in Patuakhali district.
Twenty five seeds were placed on cotton bed in a circle
pattern. Ten milliliter of treatment solutions of different
salinity concentrations were poured in each petri dish to
immerse the seeds partially for ensuring proper
aeration. The petri dishes were placed on a table in the
laboratory. The seeds were allowed to germinate at
room temperature (252C). Proper light was given
using a 100w bulb. Required amount of distilled water
was added to each petri dish every day to maintain
same level of water as in initial date. Seeds were
considered germinated when radicles measured 2 mm
size.
Number of seeds germinated was recorded every day.
Seedling height data were recorded at 7, 9, 11 and 13
DAS. The seedlings were harvested at 13 DAS.
Observation was made on germination percentage,
fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, moisture
content of root and shoot, seedling height, speed of
germination and vigor index. The vigor index and speed
of germination was calculated as follows:
Vigor index (VI) was worked out according to the
formula.
VI= Germination% (Root length in cm + Shoot
length in cm)
Speed of germination (SG%) was calculated by the
following formula, as given by Ellis and Roberts (1981).
these three treatment had more than 80% germination.
Other concentrations had lower than 80% germination
which gradually decreased with the increase of
concentration of salt in growth medium. Beyond 4 DAS,
with the progress of time, germination percentage
increased very slowly. In 0 and 20 mM NaCl
concentration, their respective maximum germination
percentage (93.3 and 92.0 %, respectively) was
obtained at 8 DAS, but in other treatment till last date of
incubation germination percentage increased very
slowly. At 12 DAS more than 80% germination was
found upto salt concentration of 80 mM NaCl, although
it takes longer time than other lower concentrations.
More than 70% germination was found upto 240 mM
NaCl concentration. Beyond this concentration the
germination percentage was very poor (58.7, and 42.7
% at 280 and 320 mM NaCl concentration,
respectively). In the experiment salinity was found to
delay and reduce germination and seedling growth.
Similar result was also found in rapeseed (Anastasi et
al., 2003; Andalibi et al., 2005). Ratnakara and Raib
(2013) reported that though the lower concentrations of
NaCl (upto 40 mM) did not affect percentage
germination, the germination was found to be delayed
in Triginella foenum-graecum. At higher salinity levels,
inhibitory effect on germination was recorded to an
extent that seeds did not germinate at 80mM and
above concentrations of NaCl in Triginella foenumgraecum.

World Res. J. Agric. Sci.

049

Table 1. Effects of different levels of salinity on germination percentage of sunflower

Salt concentration

T1: 0 mM NaCl (Control)

T2: 20 mM NaCl
T3: 40 mM NaCl
T4: 80 mM NaCl
T5: 120 mM NaCl
T6: 160 mM NaCl
T7: 200 mM NaCl
T8: 240 mM NaCl
T9: 280 mM NaCl
T10: 320 mM NaCl
%CV
Significance level
SE ()

Germination percentage
2 DAS

3 DAS

4 DAS

5 DAS

6 DAS

7 DAS

8 DAS

9 DAS

10 DAS

11 DAS

12 DAS

32.0
32.0
26.7
12.0
5.3
2.7
1.3
0.0
0.0
0.0

85.3
82.7
70.7
64.0
46.7
38.7
21.3
8.0
1.3
0.0

86.7 a
85.3 a
81.3 ab
73.3 bc
59.3 cd
58.7 de
53.3 e
28.0 f
18.7 f
4.0 g
11.25
***
3.627

90.7 a
85.3 ab
86.7 ab
78.7 b
65.3 c
61.3 cd
61.3 cd
40.0 de
37.3 e
14.7 f
10.04
***
3.724

90.7 a
85.3 ab
86.7 ab
78.7 b
65.3 c
62.7 cd
62.7 cd
52.0 de
41.3 e
17.3 f
10.04
***
3.724

92.0 a
88.0 ab
88.0 ab
78.7 b
66.7 c
65.3 cd
66.7 c
54.7 de
44.0 e
21.3 f
9.69
***
3.724

93.3 a
92.0 a
88.0 a
82.7 ab
72.0bc
69.3cd
68.0 cd
58.7 d
46.7e
24.0 f
9.04
***
3.627

93.3 a
92.0 a
90.7 a
82.7 ab
73.3 bc
70.7 bc
69.3 c
62.7 cd
54.7 d
38.7 e
9.36
***
3.933

93.3 a
92.0 a
90.7 a
85.3 ab
76.0 bc
72.0 c
72.0 c
66.7 c
54.7 d
38.7 e
8.18
***
3.502

93.3 a
92.0 a
92.0 a
86.7 ab
77.3 bc
74.7 c
74.7 c
68.0 c
57.3 d
40.0 e
7.29
***
3.183

93.3 a
92.0 a
92.0 a
86.7 ab
78.7 bc
76.0 c
76.0 c
70.7 c
58.7 d
42.7 e
7.19
***
3.183

Speed of
germination
43.1 a
40.9 a
40.3 ab
36.4 b
31.6 c
27.4 d
26.2 d
20.2 e
16.6 e
9.1 f
7.92
***
1.334

Common letters in a column are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT

Speed of germination
Speed of germination was significantly influenced by
different levels of salinity. Speed of germination
ranged from 9.1 to 43.1, highest being in control and
lowest in 320 mM NaCl concentration (Table 1). The
second highest position was ranked by the 20 mM
NaCl concentration which was statistically similar with
40 mM NaCl concentration.
Seedling height
Seedling height data was recorded at 7, 9, 11 and 13
days after sowing (DAS). In all the data recording day
seedling height was significantly influenced by
different levels of salinity. At 7 DAS highest seedling

height was found in control (5.67 cm). With the

increase of the concentration of NaCl seedling height
was gradually decreased (Table 2). At 9 DAS the
seedling height pattern was slightly changed. This day
highest height was found at 20 mM NaCl
concentration, although it was statistically similar with
control and 40 mM NaCl concentration. In other
concentrations, seedling height gradually decreased
with increasing concentration of the treatment. At 11
DAS highest seedling height was found at 40 mM
NaCl concentration (13.09 cm) and it was statistically
similar with control (13.05 cm) and 20 mM NaCl
concentration (13.03 cm). At 13 DAS similar trend
was observed. The result clearly indicates that up to
40 mM NaCl concentration, salinity is not harmful for
sunflower seedling height.

Shoot elongation rate

Shoot elongation rate was calculated at 7, 9, 11 and
13 DAS, and was significantly influenced by salinity.
At 7, 9, 11 and 13 DAS shoot elongation rate ranged
from 0.14 to 8.10, 0.51 to 12.45, 0.52 to1.90 and 0.54
to 11.40 mm/day, respectively (Table 3). At 7 DAS
highest elongation rate was found at control treatment
followed by 20 (7.40 mm/day) and 40 mM (6.60
mm/day) NaCl concentration. At 9 DAS highest
position was ranked by 20 mM NaCl concentration,
second (12.09 mm/day) and third position was
recorded in control and 40 mM NaCl concentration,
respectively. At both 11 and 13 DAS the highest
position was ranked by 40 mM NaCl concentration,
the control and 20 mM NaCl concentration had the

Shila et al.

050

Table 2. Effects of different levels of salinity on seedling height of sunflower

Salt concentration

7 DAS

9 DAS

11 DAS

13 DAS

T1: 0 mM NaCl (Control)

5.67 a

10.88 a

13.05 a

14.34 a

T2: 20 mM NaCl
T3: 40 mM NaCl
T4: 80 mM NaCl
T5: 120 mM NaCl
T6: 160 mM NaCl
T7: 200 mM NaCl
T8: 240 mM NaCl
T9: 280 mM NaCl
T10: 320 mM NaCl
%CV
Significance level

5.18 b
4.62 c
3.64 d
1.92 e
0.88 f
0.35 g
0.21 g
0.18 g
0.10 g
10.54
***

11.21 a
10.30 a
9.07 b
6.49 c
4.52 d
1.81 e
1.04 ef
0.97 ef
0.46 f
9.15
***

13.03 a
13.09 a
11.16 b
9.29 c
5.94 d
2.19 e
1.96 ef
1.57 f
0.57 g
4.49
***

14.14 a
14.82 a
12.77 b
11.55 c
8.85 d
3.66 e
2.97 e
1.83 f
0.70 g
6.62
***

SE ()

0.1378

0.2994

0.1862

0.3276

Common letters in a column are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT

second and third position, respectively. Table 3 further

shows that increasing salt concentration reduced the
shoot elongation rate at every sampling date.
Elongation rate in different salt concentrations also
varied in different sampling dates. At lower
concentration higher elongation rate was found at initial
dates but it was gradually delayed with the increase of
salt concentration.
Table 3. Effects of different levels of salinity on shoot elongation
rate (mm/day) of sunflower

Salt
concentration
T1: 0 mM NaCl
(Control)
T2: 20 mM NaCl
T3: 40 mM NaCl
T4: 80 mM NaCl
T5: 120 mM NaCl
T6: 160 mM NaCl
T7: 200 mM NaCl
T8: 240 mM NaCl
T9: 280 mM NaCl
T10: 320 mM
NaCl
%CV
Significance level
SE ()

7 DAS

9 DAS

11 DAS 13 DAS

8.10 a
7.40 ab
6.60 ab
5.20 abc
2.74 bc
1.26 c
0.50 c
0.30 c
0.26 c

12.09 a
12.45 a
11.44 a
10.07b
7.21 c
5.02 d
2.01 e
1.15 ef
1.08ef

11.87 ab
11.85 a
11.90 a
10.15 a
8.45ab
5.40 bc
1.99 cd
1.78 d
1.43 d

11.03 a
10.88 a
11.40 a
9.82 b
8.89 c
6.81 d
2.82 e
2.28 e
1.41 f

0.14 c
10.55
***
1.645

0.51f
9.14
***
0.3327

0.52 d
12.31
***
1.156

0.54 g
6.62
***
0.2517

Ten different levels of salinity had significant effect on

root length of sunflower. The root length ranged from
0.5 cm to 14.1 cm (Table 4). The highest root length
(14.1 cm) was found in 20 mM NaCl concentration,
although it was statistically similar with 40 mM NaCl
concentration. The control treatment (11.3 cm) and 80
mM NaCl concentration (10.2 cm) had statistically
similar root length. Beyond 20 mM NaCl concentration
the root length was found reduced gradually and
ultimately in the highest concentration root length was
the lowest. In the experiment 21.8% root length
reduction was found in 160 mM NaCl concentration,
beyond this level root length was reduced drastically
and in 320 mM NaCl concentration root length reduced
by about 96%. In fact in this concentration roots were
deformed and twisted.
Root fresh weight
There was a significant effect of salinity on root fresh
weight of sunflower. Root fresh weight ranged from
0.011 to 1.581 g over different levels of salinity (Table
4). Highest of 2.242 g fresh root was found at 20 mM
NaCl concentration. Second highest root weight was
found in 40 mM NaCl concentration. The 0, 40 and 80
mM NaCl concentration had statistically similar root
fresh weight. There was a decreasing trend of root
fresh weight, with the increasing concentration of the
salt. In the experiment 120 mM NaCl concentration had
17.8% decrease over control, beyond this concentration
a drastic reduction was observed. At 320 mM NaCl
concentration root fresh weight reduced by 99.3%.

Common letters in a column are not significantly different at 5% level

by DMRT

Root dry weight

Root length

Root dry weight was significantly influenced by different

World Res. J. Agric. Sci.

051

Table 4. Effects of different levels of salinity on different growth parameters of sunflower

Salt concentration

T1: 0 mM NaCl
(Control)
T2: 20 mM NaCl
T3: 40 mM NaCl
T4: 80 mM NaCl
T5: 120 mM NaCl
T6: 160 mM NaCl
T7: 200 mM NaCl
T8: 240 mM NaCl
T9: 280 mM NaCl
T10: 320 mM NaCl
%CV
Significance level
SE ()

Root length
(cm)

Root fresh weight

(g)

Root dry weight

(g)

Shoot fresh
weight (g)

Shoot dry weight

(g)

Shoot moisture
content (%)

Root moisture
content (%)

Vigor
index

11.3 b
14.1 a
13.4 a
10.2 bc
9.2 cd
8.8 d
4.4 e
4.2 e
1.2 f
0.5 f
8.24
***
1.085

1.581 b
2.242 a
1.734 b
1.548 b
1.300 c
1.044 d
0.471 e
0.178 f
0.085 f
0.011 f
13.99
***
0.08165

0.088 b
0.120 a
0.087 b
0.087 b
0.078 c
0.053 d
0.022 e
0.017 e
0.008 f
0.004 f
14.95
***
0.00183

7.221 a
7.262 a
7.557 a
6.985 a
5.640 b
4.764 b
1.942 c
1.046 cd
0.629 d
0.422 d
12.60
***
0.3162

0.381 ab
0.382 ab
0.386 a
0.383 ab
0.376 ab
0.366 b
0.286 c
0.210 d
0.169 e
0.163 e
6.30
***
0.0058

94.6 a
94.7 a
94.9 a
94.5 a
93.3 a
92.2 a
85.2 b
79.8 c
72.9 d
61.4 e
1.81
***
0.9004

94.4 a
94.6 a
95.0 a
94.4 a
94.0 a
94.9 a
95.2 a
90.7 b
90.9 b
63.4 c
1.39
***
0.7257

23.9b
25.9 a
25.9 a
19.9 c
16.4 d
13.4 e
6.1 f
5.1 f
1.8 g
0.5 g
7.24
***
0.5802

Common letters in a column are not significantly different at 5% level by DMRT

levels of salinity. Root dry weight ranged from 0.004 g

in 320 mM NaCl concentration to 0.120 g in 20 mM
NaCl concentration (Table 4). Second highest (0.088
g) result was obtained in control treatment which was
statistically similar to 40 and 80 mM NaCl
concentration, both these treatment gave 0.087g root
dry weight. In the experiment 20 mM NaCl
concentration gave significantly higher root dry weight
which clearly explains the necessity of NaCl for plant
growth. However, with the increase of salt
concentration root dry weight was drastically reduced.
In the experiment 120 mM NaCl concentration gives
11% reduction and in 160 mM NaCl concentration
reduction reached to 39%. In the following
concentrations percent decrease rises very fast.

About 96% reduction in root dry weight was observed

due to use of 320 mM NaCl concentration.
Shoot fresh weight
Shoot fresh weight was significantly influenced by
different levels of salinity. Shoot fresh weight ranged
from 7.557 g in 40 mM NaCl concentration to 0.422 g
in 320mM NaCl concentration (Table 4). Highest of
7.557 g shoot fresh weight was found in 40 mM NaCl
concentration which was statistically similar with 0, 20
and 80 mM NaCl concentration. Beyond 80 mM NaCl
concentration, with the increase of the concentration
of the solution shoot fresh weight was reduced
gradually. Compared to control treatment 20 and 40

mM NaCl concentration gave 0.57 and 4.65 % higher

fresh weight, respectively which indicates that lower
concentration of salt favor plant growth. In the
experiment 80 mM NaCl concentration gave 3.27%
reduction in fresh weight and at 120 mM NaCl
concentration the reduction rate just jumped to 21.9%.
Thus 80 mM NaCl concentration was found
acceptable for shoot fresh weight.
Shoot dry weight
Shoot dry weight was significantly influenced by
different levels of salinity. The lowest dry weight of
0.163 g was found in 320 mM NaCl concentration and
highest of 0.386 g in 40 mM NaCl concentration

Shila et al.

052

(Table 4). In the experiment 0, 20, 40, 80 and 120 mM

NaCl concentration gave statistically similar shoot dry
weight. Although not significant but 20, 40, and 80 mM
NaCl concentration gave 0.17, 1.31, and 0.52 %,
respectively higher shoot dry weight than control
treatment. The result further indicates that up to 80 mM
NaCl concentration NaCl is required for highest
biomass production. In the experiment beyond 40 mM
NaCl concentration with the increase of the
concentration of solution shoot dry weight was
gradually decreased and in 320 mM NaCl concentration
highest of 57.3% reduction was observed. Roberta and
Paolo (2010) also reported that the severe salt stress
reduced seedling growth, and root more affected than
shoot growth. Ratnakara and Raib (2013) observed
gradual decrease in root length, shoot length, fresh
weight and dry weight of Triginella foenum-graecum
seedlings with increasing concentrations (0mM to
100mM) of NaCl in the growth medium.
Shoot and root moisture content
Shoot moisture content was significantly influenced by
different levels of salinity. Table 4 shows that highest of
94.9% moisture content was recorded by the treatment
40 mM NaCl, however, it was statistically similar to the
treatment 0, 20 and 80 mM NaCl concentration.
Beyond 40 mM NaCl concentration increasing salt
concentration reduced shoot moisture content. In other
word, increasing salt concentration increases dry
matter accumulation by reducing water uptake by the
plant. Root moisture content was less affected by
salinity compared to shoot moisture content. Root
moisture content varied between 90.7 to 95.2 % at salt
concentration of 0 - 280 mM NaCl (Table 4). It indicates
that this range of salinity has no effect on root moisture
content. There was an exceptional result at 320 mM
NaCl concentration where root moisture content was
63.4%. It occurred because in this treatment root
growth was abnormal, very narrow, and deformed.
Vigor index
Salinity effect on vigor index was significant. Vigor
index value ranged from 0.5 to 25.9 over the different
concentration of solution (Table 4). The 20 and 40 mM
NaCl concentration had highest and identical vigor
index (25.9). Second highest value (23.9) was recorded
at control. Increasing concentration of salt gradually
decreased the vigor index. When vigor index value
were compared with control, it was found that the 20
and 40 mM NaCl concentration had increase and at
other concentrations vigor index decreased. As high as
97.9% decrease in vigor index was found at highest
concentration of 320 mM NaCl.

CONCLUSION
Salinity reduced germination percentage of sunflower
and the extent of reduction increased with the increase

of the concentration of salinity in the growth medium.

Up to 80 mM NaCl concentration could be identified as
safe for sunflower seed germination. Up to 40 mM NaCl
concentration salinity favors plant growth which
otherwise indicates the necessity of NaCl in lower
concentration for plant growth and development. At
higher concentration like 320 mM NaCl root was more
affected than shoot. Further study is needed to test the
performance of different sunflower genotypes at varying
degree of salt stress.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors gratefully acknowledges financial support
provided by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council
(BARC) under the project entitled Increasing Fertilizer
and Irrigation Water Use Efficiency for Crop Production
on Southern Coastal Saline Soils of Bangladesh
executing in the Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali
Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali
to conduct the study. The authors acknowledged the
contributions of Prof. Dr. Shehdeh Jodeh, Aruna Rai,
Hdi Daghari, Alagarasan Ganesh, Dr. Bengu
Turkyilmaz Unal for donating their time, critical
evaluation, constructive comments, and invaluable
assistance toward the improvement of this very
manuscript.

REFERENCES
Anastasi U, Santonoceto C, Monti M (2003). Growth
and yield water status and use of spring and winter
rapeseed in relation to time of sowing. Proceedings of
the 11th International Rapeseed Congress,
Copenaghen. 3: 805-807.
Andalibi B, Zangani E, Nazari AH (2005). Effects of
water stress on germination indices in six rapeseed
cultivars (Brassica napus L.). Iranian Journal of
Agricultural Sciences, 36: 457-463.
Carpc EB, Celk N, Bayram G (2009). Effects of salt
stress on germination of some maize (Zea mays L.)
cultivars. African J.Biotechnol., 8(19): 4918-4922.
Ellis RA, Roberts. (1981). The qualification of ageing
and survival in orthodox seeds. Seed Sci. and Tech.,
9: 373-409.
Foolad MR, Hyman JR, Lin GY (1999). Relationships
Between Cold and Salt Tolerance During Seed
Germination in Tomato: Analysis of Response and
Correlated Response to Selection. Plant Breeding,
118: 49-52.
Foolad MR, Lin GY (1997). Genetic Potential for Salt
Tolerance During Germination in Lycopersicon
Species. Hort. Sci. 32: 296-300.
Gomez KA and Gomez AA (1984). Statistical
Procedures for Agricultural Research, John Wiley and
Sons, New York.
Haque MA, Jahiruddin M, Hoque MA, Rahman MZ,
Clarke D (2014). Temporal variability of soil and
water salinity and its effect on crop at Kalapara

World Res. J. Agric. Sci.

upazila. J. Environ. Sci. and Natural Resources 7(2):

111-114.
Haque MA, Jharna DE, Hoque MF, Uddin MN, Saleque
MA (2008). Soil solution electrical conductivity and
basic cations composition in the rhizosphere of
lowland rice in coastal soils. Bangladesh J. Agric.
Res. 33(2):243-250.
Rahman M, Kayani SA, Gul S (2000). Combined
Effects of Temperature and Salinity Stress on Corn
Sunahry Cv., Pak. J. Biological Sci., 3(9):1459-1463.
Ratnakara A, Raib A (2013). Effect of sodium chloride
salinity on seed germination and early seedling
growth of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. J. Environ.
Res. 1(4):304-309.
Roberta P, Paolo B (2010). Effect of salinity and low
osmotic potential on the germination and seedling
growth of rapeseed cultivars with different stress
tolerance. Italian J. Agron, 5: 69-77.
Roychoudhury A, Chakraborty M (2013). Biochemical
and molecular basis of varietal difference in plant salt
tolerance. Annual Review and Res. in Biol., 3(4): 422454.
Saboora A, Kiarostami K (2006). Salinity (NaCl)
Tolerance of Wheat Genotypes at Germination and
Early Seedling Growth. Pak. J. Biological Sci. 9(11):
2009-2021.

053

Sharma AD, Thakur M, Rana M, Singh K (2004). Effect

of Plant Growth Hormones and Abiotic Stresses on
Germination, Growth and Phosphatase Activities in
Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench Seeds. Afr. J.
Biotechnol., 3: 308-312.
SRDI (2010). SRMAF Project. Soil Resource
Development Institute. Ministry of Agriculture GoB.
Accepted 02 February, 2016.
Citation: Shila A, Haque MA, Ahmed R, Howlader MHK
(2016). Effect of different levels of salinity on
germination and early seedling growth of sunflower.
World Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences 3(1):
048-053.

Copyright: 2016 Shila et al. This is an open-access

article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons
Attribution
License,
which
permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original author and source are
cited.