Effect of Salinity and Temperature on Germination, Seedling Growth, Na and Water Content Characteristics of the Wild Melon (Cucumis melo)

In order to study the interaction of temperature and salinity on seed germination and seedling growth of Cucumis melo a factorial experiment was conducted based on CRD with four replications. The factors included four temperature levels (25، 30، 35 and 40 °C) and five salinity levels (0، -0. 2، -0. 4، -0. 6 and -0. 8 MPa). Germination rate and percentage، shoot length، root length، seedling vigor index (SVI)، Na content and water content were evaluated at the end of trial. The results indicated that germination percentage was 80% at 35°C and -0. 8 MPa of salinity، germination rate in 30 and 35°C was more than that in 25 and 45°C. Shoot length، root length and seedling vigor index were greater at 30 and 35°C. Increasing NaCl concentration limited germination، seedling growth and water content، but increased Na content. Comparison of studied traits means showed that there were a significant difference between different salinity concentrations; this difference was more obvious between 25 and 40 °C compared to 30 and 35°C.