Abstract
In an attempt to evaluate the efficiency of sea water irrigation on plant growth and germination, five cultivars of lentil ILL4400, 5582, 5845, 5883 and 8006 were grown in sandy soil and irrigated with sea water of different salinity levels (Ec 0.9-12). Percent of germination, seedlings lengths and mean germination time were recorded. The results showed that all cultivars were able to germinate at different salinity levels. The germination percent was increased. The percent of seed germination was significantly higher in cultivars ILL8006 and ILL5883. Sea water of salinities Ec3 and Ec6 was ideal for irrigation without negative impacts on lentil germination and growth. At higher salinity (Ec12) the germination rate was reduced and the mean germination time was greater than that in lentil seeds irrigated with sea water of Ec 0.9-9.
Highlights
The limited water resources in many parts of the world form a major constraint for agricultural and socio-economic development [1]
Our results showed that germination of lentil seeds was not affected due to increasing salinity concentrations
The highest percent of germination (100%) was recorded in cultivar ILL 5883 irrigated with sea water of Ec 3 salinity
Summary
The limited water resources in many parts of the world form a major constraint for agricultural and socio-economic development [1]. In arid and semi-arid areas, salinity is one of the most pronounced problems of agricultural irrigation. In these regions, there is an urgent need to use saline water in irrigation because of limited water resources. Saline water was previously considered unusable for irrigation. This water can be used successfully to grow crops under certain conditions [2]. Seed germination is the major factor limiting the establishment of plants under saline conditions. Work was to characterize the effect of salinity on lentil germination Addressing these issues may help generate knowledge valuable for production programs of lentil under saline conditions
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