EFFECTS OF NACL AND CACL₂ ON GERMINATION PERFORMANCE OF SOME LOCAL ONION (ALLIUM CEPA L.) CULTIVARS IN TURKEY

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of NaCI and CaCl₂ level on germination of some onion genotypes. Seeds of ‘Kantartopu-3’, ‘Akgün-12’, ‘İmrali Kirmasi-15’, ‘Metan-88’ and ‘Beyaz Bilek’ were used. Electrical conductivities (EC) of salt solutions were 1.2, 2.4, 4.8 and 9.6 dS m^-1 and distilled water (0 dS m^-1) served as control. Germination percentage (%), mean germination time (days), shoot length (mm) and seedling fresh and dry weight (mg) were measured at 12 days after sowing. Genotypes showed different responses to NaCI and CaCl₂. Increased salinity levels resulted in decreased germination, inhibition of seedling growth and increased mean germination time. Varieties showed different responses for different parameters.