Effect of salinity on germination and seedling growth in Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) genotypes

The present investigation was carried out to find out the effect of salinity on germination and seedling growth of mungbean. Ten genotypes of greengram were evaluated at three levels of salinity viz. 0.0%, 0.2% and 0.4%NaCl. Salinity induced by supplementing 0.0 g, 2 g and 4 g NaCl, respectively to 1000 ml of double distilled water. Seven seeds of each genotype were sown in plastic trays filled with sterilized soil. 500 ml of test solution was applied to each plastic tray on alternate day. The temperature was 32.3 0C in laboratory room with 53% relative humidity. The experimental observations were taken on 17th day of sowing. The observations were recorded on germination percentage, shoot length, root length, seedling length, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, seedling fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, seedling dry weight, root length/ shoot length ratio and seedling vigour index. The genotypes, salinity levels and genotype x salinity level interaction exhibited significant differences for most of the characters. Analysis of variance indicated significant differences among genotypes. The mean performance of all the characters decreased with increased salinity level. The genotype RMG-1099 was found more salt tolerant at seedling stage followed by RMG-1101 and MVM-2.