Effect of different salinity on seed germination, growth parameters and biochemical contents of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seeds cultivars

Abstract

Soil and water salinity is an important limiting factor affecting yield and production levels in arid and semi-arid areas. Salt tolerance during germination is an important parameter that also affects the other plant development stages. In this respect, this study was designed to determine the responses of pumpkin seed varieties (Develi, Ürgüp, Hybrid) to different NaCl salinities. The study was carried out in 2022 in the laboratory of Biosystems Engineering Department of Erciyes University in randomized plots design with 3 replications. Experiments were conducted with 5 different water salinity. Germination percentage (GP), germination index (GI), mean germination time (MGT), seedling vigor index (SVI), ion leakage (Il), radicula length (RL) and plumule length (PL), root and shoot fresh and dry weights and some mineral composition (Na, K, Ca) were examined. Proline, antioxidant capacity, total phenolic and DPPH content were significantly affected by salinity. In scatter plot correlation analysis SVI a positive correlation was observed between GP (r2 = 0.774), GI (r2 = 0.745), RL (r2 = 0.929), FRW (r2 = 0.837), FSW (r2 = 0.836), DRW (r2 = 0.894), AC (r2 = 0.747), TP (r2 = 0.640) and DPPH (r2 = 0.635). It was determined that there were negative correlations between SVI and MGT (r2 = − 0.902), II (r2 = − 0.588), DSW (r2 = − 0.682) and PR (r2 = − 0.344). Present findings revealed that investigated parameters were significantly affected by increasing salinity levels. While Hybrid cultivar was the most affected by salinity, Develi cultivar was found to be resistant to saline conditions.