The Effect of Seed Source on Germination and Morphological Traits of Amygdalus elaegnifolia Saplings Undersalt Stress

Salinity is one of environmental stresses in the world and especially in arid lands and desert that reduces production of plants and it is important to choose salt-resistant plants in all life stages, especially germination. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of seed source (provenance (on germination and morphological traits of Amygdalus elaegnifolia saplings undersalt stress. The experiment was carried out as factorial in completely randomized design withthree replicates. Seed source (FereydonShahr, Kazeron and Semirom) and salinity treatment withfour levels (0, 1.5, 3 and 5 dSm-1) using NaCl were considered as first and second factors, respectively. The measured variables were germination percentage, germination rate, vigor index, shoot length, radicle length, shoot wet weight, radicle wet weight, shoot dry weight, radicle dry weight, total leaf number, and radicle length/shoot length. The results of analysis of variance and mean comparison showed that salinity made significant differences in most of the investigated traits of Amygdalus elaegnifolia. In the control treatment of salinity, significant differences were found among the studied seed sources but the effect of seed sources was not significant in the other levels of salinity. In general, Fereydunshahr was the best of all studied provenances in non-saline conditions (control treatment).