Effect of Different Salt Concentrations (NaCl) on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Tomato cv. BINA Tomato-10

The experiment was carried out at the Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, Bangladesh to evaluate the rate of seeds germination and early seedlings growth of tomato under different levels of salinity. Experimental treatments consisted on five levels of natrium chloride (NaCl) (0, 25, 50, 100 and 150 mM). Seeds of tomato cv. BINA Tomato-10 were placed on Petri dishes for germination. Data on germination percentage, germination coefficient, length of radicle and plumule, fresh and dry mass of radicle and plumule, seed vigor index were recorded at different days after sowing. NaCl solutions significantly affected seed germination and growth of germinated seedlings. At 11 DAS, the highest seed germination (94.67%), maximum germination coefficient (15.91), longest radicle (7.61 cm) and plumule (5.77 cm), maximum seed vigor index (1266.34), highest fresh and dry mass of radicle (12.5 mg and 1.63 mg) and plumule (23.95 mg and 1.02 mg) were recorded in control treatment. High concentration of salt solution (150 mM NaCl) found to be detrimental for seed germination and seedling growth. BINA Tomato-10 can be recommended for the area having moderate level of salinity.