The Response of Some Haricot Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Varieties for Salt Stress during Germination and Seedling Stage

摘要

Fourteen haricot bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) varieties were tested during germination and seedling growth at 0, 2, 4, 8 and 16 dS/m salinity levels. Data analysis was carried out using jmp5 statistical software (version 5.0). Final Germination Percentage (FGP), Seedling Shoot Length (SSL), Seedling Root Length (SRL) and seedling shoot-to-root ratio (SRR) were measured. The data analysis showed insignificant variation among most parameters recorded for varieties (p>0.05). The ANOVA displayed statistical significance for treatments for all parameters at p0.05). Seedling root length was more salt affected than seedling shoot length. Variety Awash Melka was found salt tolerant during germination and seedling growth. Variety Mexican 142 was salt sensitive during germination but later became salt tolerant during seedling growth. On the other hand, variety Dimtu was salt sensitive during germination and seedling growth. The rest haricot bean varieties were intermediate in their salt tolerance. The study affirmed the presence of broad intraspecific genetic variation in haricot bean varieties for salt tolerance. Irrespective of salinity being a growing problem in Ethiopia in general and the Awash Valley in particular, only little has been done on crops salt tolerance. Therefore, to alleviate the salinity problem, there should be similar and profound studies on haricot beans and other crops.