Effect of water salinity on seeds-germination of Ocimum basilicum L., Eruca sativa L. and Petroselinum hortense Hoffm.

Seeds-germination is among all physiological processes one of the most sensitive to stresses. The use of brackish water can slow down the water absorption of seeds and consequently all processes linked with the use of reserves of nutrients and the development of embryos. Laboratory experiments have been carried out to study the effects of salinity on basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), rocket (Eruca sativa L.) and parsley (Petroselinum hortense Hoffm.) germination. Standard germination techniques have been employed using Petri dishes containing filter paper saturated with 11 different concentrations of NaCl solutions, varying from 0 to 10 mS cm(-1). It appears that salinity has not significantly reduced germination percentages of basil and rocket. The parsley has turned out to be less tolerant thus showing a connection between germination percentages decreases and salinity increases. Mean germination time has proved to be more directly influenced by water salinity. Higher levels of water EC have significantly delayed the seeds-germination of basil, rucole and parsley.