THE IMPACT OF SALT (NaCl) STRESS ON GERMINATION CHARACTERISTICS OF GIBBERELLIC ACID PRETREATED WHEAT (TRITICUM DURUM DESF) SEEDS

This research was conducted to examine the effects of gibberellic acid (GA3), which was treated to wheat (Triticum durum Desf) seeds before germination, on their germination and the seedling growth under saline conditions. Durum wheat Guney Yildizi variety, four different GA3 (0 (control), 100, 200 and 300 ppm), and four different salt (0 (control), 50 mM, 100 mM and 200 mM NaCl) concentrations were used in the research. Germination power, germination ratio (%), germination index, mean germination time, sensitivity index (%), radicula length (cm), plumula length (cm), radicula fresh weight (mg), radicula dry weight (mg), plumula fresh weight (mg), and plumula dry weight (mg) were examined. The results indicated that the increasing doses of salt prevented germination and growth parameters of wheat (Triticum durum Desf) seeds. It was observed that the doses of GA3 (Gibberellic acid), which were increased gradually before the doses of salt (NaCl), affected germination and growth positively and significantly. The best results of germination characteristics of wheat seed were obtained from the combination of 300 ppm Gibberellic acid + 0 mM (control) salt.