Salinity tolerance indices in germination stage of two Species of Borage (Borago officinalis L. & Echiumamoenum Fisch & C.A. Mey.)

This study conducted in laboratory condition with two species of Borage(Borago officinalis L. and Echium amoenum Fisch & C.A. Mey.) and sevenlevels of salinity including tap water as control, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 dS.m-1 ofNaCl. This experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design withthree replications and germination percentage, root length, shoot length, seedlinglength and weight were measured. Results showed that increasing salinity had asignificant effect (P≤0.01) on all germination traits. The rate of reduction of thedesired traits was also different between the two studied species. Salinity thresholdvalue at germination stage for Iranian (E. amoenum) and European (B. officinalis)species was 2.21 and 3.04 dS.m-1, respectively. Also, salinity that caused 50%reduction in germination was estimated to be 9.31 dS.m-1 for Iranian species and19.16 dS.m-1 for European species. Therefore, we conclude that the Europeanspecies is more tolerant to salinity than the Iranian species in the germination stageand will probably be more adaptable in saline conditions.

Keywords:

salt stress , borage , species , salinity threshold value , slope