INTERACTION OF SALINITY AND TEMPERATURE ON THE GERMINATION OF SORGHUM

Laboratory studies were conducted to investigate the effect of salinit y x temperature interactions on the germination of sorghum, Sorghum bi color (L.) Moench. Sorghum seeds were sown in petri dishes with saline solutions of varying concentrations (electrical conductivities of 0.0 1, 6.4, 12.2, 17.4, 22.6, 27.2, 32.1, and 37.2 dSm-1) prepared with Na Cl. The germination responses of the seeds were determined over a wide range of temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40-degrees-C) for a per iod of 8 days. Salinity x temperature interactions were highly signifi cant at each counting date. Although, increased salinity resulted in d ecreased germination percentages, the detrimental effect of salinity w as generally less severe at higher temperatures. Germination rate inde x, computed from germination counts taken every 2 days, was influenced by salinity and temperature in a similar pattern as final germination . Seed germination was more tolerant to salinity at germination temper atures of 30-40-degrees-C than at 15-25-degrees-C.