EFFECTS OF SALINE STRESS ON IN VITRO SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF SOME TURKISH FIG CULTIVARS (FICUS CARICA L.)

Abstract

In this study, saline stress tolerance/sensitivity levels, germination rate of the seeds, and seedling growth of eight fig cultivars (Morguz, Sanlop, Yesilguz, Sultan Selim, Halebi, Bursa Siyahi, Goklop and Izmir Bardacik) of Turkey were examined by in vitro screening. In fig, this is the first and guiding study reporting in vitro germination performance of the seeds in saline conditions for fig researchers. Salt stress in vitro condition was established by adding 0, 85.5, 171.1 and 342.5 mM NaCl to the MS basal medium in current experiment. In the examinations carried out 45 days after seedling, none of the cultivars could be obtained at a dose of 342.5 NaCl. Highest seed germination rates were determined in Sultan Selim (79.5%) and Bursa Black (75.0%) cultivars at 171.1 mM NaCl concentration. In other cultivars, this ratio has changed between 0.0-40.0%. High germination rate (90% <) and plant growth under the observed 85.5 mM NaCl dose was determined for Sultan Selim and Bursa Siyahi cultivars. The seeds and seedlings of Sanlop cultivar, one of the major cultivars for dried fig production, have been found sensitive to salt stress.