SALINITY STRESS INDUCED CHANGES IN GERMINATION, MORPHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL, AND STOMATA PARAMETERS OF BLACK MUSTARD (<i>BRASSICA NIGRA </i>(L.) Косн)
BOTANICAL SCIENCES, cilt.104, sa.2, ss.498-511, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 104 Sayı: 2
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.17129/botsci.3845
- Dergi Adı: BOTANICAL SCIENCES
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Directory of Open Access Journals, DIALNET
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.498-511
- Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Soil and irrigation water salinity is a major threat to plant growth. Identifying tolerant species or cultivars is essential for sustainable agriculture. Questions and Hypotheses: This study investigated the response of black mustard (Brassica nigra) to salt stress during germination, emergence, and morphophysiological development. We hypothesized that B. nigra tolerates high salinity, with stagespecific responses and physiological traits indicating tolerance. Studied Species: Black mustard (Brassica nigra) was tested under NaCl concentrations of 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM, corresponding to electrical conductivities of 5.5, 10.5, 15.6, and 20.1 dS m-1. Methods: Experiments were conducted under controlled conditions, assessing germination, emergence, morphological and physiological traits (chlorophyll content and cell membrane stability), and stomatal characteristics (number and area on adaxial and abaxial surfaces). Results: Salinity reduced shoot and root length and seedling fresh weight, but did not affect germination percentage. In pot experiments, increasing salinity decreased plant height and biomass, while emergence remained unaffected. Conversely, salinity increased dry matter and chlorophyll content. Cell membrane stability declined linearly with salinity. At 100 mM NaCl and above, stomatal number and area decreased on both leaf surfaces. The most pronounced effects on plant height and fresh weight occurred at concentrations exceeding 100 mM NaCl. Conclusions: Salinity primarily impaired seedling growth rather than germination. Plant height and cell membrane stability are reliable indicators of salinity tolerance in B. nigra. Concentrations above 150 mM NaCl represent the critical threshold for germination and early growth.