Abstract

Habtamu Ashagre, Ermias Estifanos, Muluken Endale, Mulugeta Tolesa and Shitaye Nuguse

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of salinity on germination and seedling growth of haricot bean cultivars. Two haricot bean cultivars (Lehade and Chercher) and five salinity levels (0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mM) were factorially arranged in complete randomized design with three replications. The result of the study indicated that cultivars × salinity interaction was not significant. However, significant differences were observed between cultivars in germination percentage, root length, shoot and root fresh and dry weights, and seedling dry weight. Lehade cultivar gave the higher germination percentage (100%) compared with Chercher (92.5%), but gave significantly lower value in all other seedling growth traits, except shoot length and root-to-shoot length ratio. Increase in salinity levels decreased germination percentage (2.1-8.3%); shoot (20.6-57.3%) and root (16.4-59.3%) lengths; shoot fresh weight (14.9-41.2%) and root fresh weight (13.1-30.4%); shoot dry weight (11.2-28.5%); root dry weight (8.3-41.2%); seedling dry weight (10.8-57.6%); and root-to-shoot length ratio (0.4-17.1%) of haricot bean. The study confirmed that, cultivars varied genetically for their germination percentage and growth traits. The increase in salinity level substantially decreased germination percentage and seedling growth parameters in haricot bean cultivars.