Effects of Different Water Salinity on Germination, Growth Parameters, Prolin, Antioxidant Capacity, Total Phenolic and DPPH contents of Pumpkin Seeds

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. This study was carried out to determine the response of seed pumpkin cultivars (Develi, Ürgüp, Hybrid) to different NaCl salt doses. 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 (S1, 0.3 dS/m (control); S2, 2.5 dS/m; S3, 5 dS/m; S4, 7.5 dS/m and S5, 10 dS/m). Germination percentage (GP), germination index (GI), mean germination time (MGT), seedling vigor index (SVI), ion leakage, radicula and plumule length, 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. 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.