Physiological response of sunflower seedlings to salinity and potassium supply

Sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Dwarf) were grown only with incre asing saline solutions [0, 50, and 100 mM sodium chloride (NaCI)] and potas sium (K) supply to determine how salinity and K supply will affect plant ge rmination and growth. Potassium supply under highly saline conditions (100 mM) or nonsaline conditions had a beneficial effect on sunflower seedlings germination which was not significantly altered with moderate salt concentr ations (50 mM). During the stage studied, K supply in the absence of salini ty increased significantly seedling biomass which reflects what is happenin g in the aerial part and root. This increase was proportionally higher in t he stem than in the leaf with no variations in the foliar surface. In a sal ine environment, K supply did not markedly alter plant dry matter productio n, but increased foliar surface with moderate salt concentrations (50 mM) i n the root environment.