EFFECTS OF SEA WATER CONCENTRATIONS ON GERMINATION OF TOMATO AND ALFALFA SEEDS

Abstract

The increasing need for water in the arid areas of the world has resulted in the emergence of sea water application for agriculture and landscape. The objective of the present research was to study the effects of increasing sea water concentrations (the Black Sea, Aegean Sea and Mediterranean Sea) on seed germination and seedling growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Rio Grande) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa cv. Yerli). Seeds were irrigated with 4 different concentrations of sea waters (1, 10, 50 and 100% diluted with distilled water) in addition to distilled water as a control. The germination rates in the tomato and alfalfa seeds were found different and decreased with increasing sea water salinity concentrations. Lengths of root and stem of the seedlings grown for 7 days after germination decreased with increasing sea water salinity concentrations. Moreover, the sea water applications reduced the elongation of shoots more than roots. Dry weights of root and stem of the seedlings were also decreased with increasing sea water salinity concentrations. The degree of salinity injury became more severe with increasing sea water salinity concentrations. All the results obtained suggest no possibility of using sea water for alternative irrigation, adopting adequate dilutions for tolerant plants.