Effect of salinity on seed germination and seedling growth of bullet cultivar of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.)

Salinity stress is one of the most severe factors, limiting seed germination and post-germination events. Salinity produces negative effects on seed germination and seedling growth of most of the glycophytes either by inhibiting water absorption or by causing the toxicity of salt ions. Globally, sustainable salinization of arable land is rising at an alarming rate, reducing the output from formerly fertile soil. Though chilli is glycophyte, several varieties of the species show a different level of salt tolerance. The response of the “Bullet variety” of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) to distinct levels of sodium chloride (0, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 mM) was explored in this communication, with an emphasis on seed germination and early seedling growth. In this study, several metrics evaluating germination and seedling are tested at varying salt levels. Such metrics reveal that the Bullet variety can tolerate a 200-mM concentration of NaCl during germination and the early seedling developmental stage. Major deviations of such metrics were observed between the 100-mM and 150-mM concentrations of NaCl.