Salinity effects on germinability and vigor of harvested seeds in wheat

Soil salinity stress may affect subsequent seed vigor, but the literature concerning this issue is scarce. Our objective was to evaluate germinability and vigor of seeds from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants grown under soil salinity conditions. Four salinity levels (1.7, 4.7, 8.7 and 14.5 dS m⁻¹) were imposed on pot-grown plants (cvs. Tajan and Zagros) in the greenhouse. Germinability and vigor of harvested seeds were measured by germination test, accelerated aging (AA) test and seedling growth rate test. Salinity stress resulted in decreased seed weight (7-35%) and seed yield (4-96%) of either cultivar. Salinity stress did not reduce (P < 0.05) any trait relating to seed germination and vigor in Zagros, but increased germination rate. In Tajan, however, salinity stress significantly (P < 0.05) reduced germination rate after AA and seedling dry weight as a result of decline in seed size. In general, 1 out of 10 traits in Zagros and 2 out of 10 traits in Tajan significantly (P < 0.05) affected by salinity stress. The number of affected traits were 2 out of 10 for Zagros and 5 of 10 for Tajan when using P < 0.10. However, results of multivariate analysis of variance (multiple F-test) showed that in total seed germination and vigor of spring wheat cvs. Tajan and Zagros are not sensitive to salinity stress imposed on mother plant.