Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
ISPEC journal of agricultural sciences (Online), cilt.9, sa.3, ss.762-774, 2025 (Hakemli Dergi)
Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the most significant oilseed crops, known for its highly valued edible oil. Salinity is one of the critical factor affecting plant growth among various abiotic stresses, particularly during germination and early developmental stages. The increasing use of saline water for irrigation has exacerbated this challenge, necessitating the identification of salt-tolerant genotypes. This study investigated the effects of different salinity levels on germination and early seedling development in sesame by applying four NaCl concentrations (50 mM, 100 mM, 150 mM, and 200 mM) along with a control group. The salt tolerance of various sesame genotypes was assessed based on key developmental parameters, including germination percentage, mean germination time, relative injury rate, seedling height, water uptake percentage, seedling fresh weight, biomass, and overall salt tolerance level. The results indicated seedling height was the most sensitive indicator of salinity stress, whereas biomass was the least affected parameter. Notably, increasing salinity levels significantly impacted early growth, while lower salinity levels (50 mM) did not exhibit a substantial adverse effect, suggesting mild tolerance in certain sesame varieties. This study provides valuable insights for selecting salt-tolerant sesame genotypes, facilitating improved cultivation strategies in saline-prone agricultural regions. This analysis showed a significant change in early development stages with an increase in salinity levels, but lower salinity levels (50mM) did not exhibit adverse effects, suggesting mild salinity tolerance against saline environments in different sesame varieties. This study suggested reliable information for selecting the suitable sesame genotype to grow according to the saline conditions of farmers’ soils.