Salinity effects on seed germination and seedling growth in Agropyron deserterum and Agropyron elongatum

Agropyron deserterum and Ag. elongatum species have a high value for both fresh and dry forage and because of high production and top acceptance by livestock they have specific value in the beginning of the growth season for livestock grazing. This research was conducted to study the effects of salinity stress on the mentioned species in germination and vegetative growth stages. A completely randomized design including five levels of 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mM NaCl and CaCl2 with 4 replications was used. Seeds were sown in laboratory and germination percentage, germination velocity, vigor index, plumule and radicle length and seedling dry weight were calculated. In greenhouse condition, shoot and root length, seedling dry weight, dry weight to fresh weight ratio, leaf area and specific leaf area were measured. According to the results, in both studied species germination percentage, plumule and radicle length, seedling dry weight, leaf area and specific leaf area were reduced with increase of salinity. The results showed significant differences between two species for germination percentage and germination velocity (P≤0.01). In both germination and vegetative growth stages, Ag.elongatum was more salt tolerant than Ag.desertorum. The results indicated that Ag.elongatum was more salt tolerant species than Ag.desertorum and it can be recommended for cultivation in moderate saline rangelands.