Vetch seed vigour evaluation under saline conditions

Salinity affects almost every aspect of the physiology and biochemistry of plants, including the whole plant and at the cellular level. There is a significant variation in salt tolerance within vetch species, providing opportunities for improving salt-stress tolerance using genetic resources. Considering the significance of successful seed germination and seedling emergence for further plant establishment, plant development and achieving high crop yields, the study of the interaction between salt stress and germination is of great importance. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the seed vigour of vetch species (Vicia sativa, V. pannonica), through vigour tests under saline conditions. Germination and vigour were assessed through the standard test, accelerated ageing test and cold test, estimating the germination percentage, root and shoot length, and total fresh and dry matter accumulation, under three levels of salt stress (100 mM, 150 mM,200 mM NaCl). The obtained results of the experiment showed significant differences between the two species in response to salinity stress. Furthermore, a species that has a higher vigour has shown noticeably higher tolerance to stress. After the accelerated ageing test, V pannonica showed significantly lower values in all the tested parameters, at all concentrations of NaCl.