The Effects of Different NaCl Applications on the Growth of Almond Seedlings Grown under In Vitro Conditions

The study involves the determination of the effects of salinity levels on seedling growth of almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb) grown under in vitro conditions. The seeds of almond were used as explants to initiate in vitro cultures and germinated on agar (7 g/L) medium (agar and water only). The shoots (2 to 3 cm long) were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different NaCl levels (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 mM NaCl). The shoot and root length and fresh and dry mass of seedlings were measured at the fourth week of culture. The results show that growth characteristics of seedlings have changed depending on increasing salt levels. The seedling growth was inhibited or delayed in the presence of the salt and hence the extent of inhibition and delay was greatly dependent on the salt concentration.