Physiological response of sunflower seedlings to salinity and potassium supply

Sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Dwarf) were grown only with increasing saline solutions [0, 50, and 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCI)] and potassium (K) supply to determine how salinity and K supply will affect plant germination and growth. Potassium supply under highly saline conditions (100 mM) or nonsaline conditions had a beneficial effect on sunflower seedlings germination which was not significantly altered with moderate salt concentrations (50 mM). During the stage studied, K supply in the absence of salinity increased significantly seedling biomass which reflects what is happening in the aerial part and root. This increase was proportionally higher in the stem than in the leaf with no variations in the foliar surface. In a saline environment, K supply did not markedly alter plant dry matter production, but increased foliar surface with moderate salt concentrations (50 mM) in the root environment.