Effect of seed size on salt tolerance at germination and seedling growth stages of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The effects of seed size and salt stress on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were evaluated. The experimental design was two factors factorial (2 x 5) arranged in a completely randomized design with four replications. The first factor was seed size (small= 2 mm and large=3 mm) and the second factor was salt stress (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 dS/m). Salt stress decreased shoot and root length but increased mean germination time in both large and small seeds. However, at 12 and 16 dS/m in small seeds, seed germinated faster and shoot length and seedling fresh weights were higher compared to large seeds. Small seeds could be preferred for use in saline soils to achieve better stand establishment.