Abstract
The response of rocket (Eruca sativa L.) to salinity stress was tested for several germination and physiological parameters during seedling development. Two rocket cultivars (Ilıca and Istanbul) and various salinity stresses of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 dS m–1 created by NaCl were used in the study. Germination percentage (GP), mean germination time (MGT), germination index (GI), germination stress tolerance index (GSTI), stomata morphology, chlorophyll content (SPAD value), leaf dry matter, relative water content (RWC), cellular injury (CI) and cell membrane stability (CMS) were evaluated. Results showed that high salinity stresses led to a decrease in GP, GI and GSTI index, while MGT increased. Salinity reduced stoma length and pore length. Under saline conditions, leaf dry matter, chlorophyll content and CMS increased, while RWC decreased. Also, CI was enhanced by salinities over 10 dS m–1. It was concluded that lower CMS, CI and RWC, and greater dry matter and chlorophyll were considered as salinity tolerance at the seedling stage of the rocket, and Istanbul was more tolerant to salinity than Ilıca.
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