Effect of salt stress on seed germination and seedlings chlorophyll content of some tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) local landraces

Abstract

Soil salinity is one of the most important abiotic stress factors affecting the global food security. The impact of salt-affected soils on plant productivity is sometimes disastrously. This requires the identifying and creating new plants genotypes tolerant to osmotic stress. These activities are difficult because the physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms responsible for the growth reduction of crops is not completely understood. In the effort to increase plant resistance to salinity, special attention should be given to local landraces as important genetic resources. The aims of the present study were to contribute to a better understanding of the physiological mechanisms involved in salt stress tolerance of Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. plants, especially during seed germination and seedlings growth and to identify the local landraces tolerant of salts excess. The results show that all from the tested cultivars represent a valuable germplasm source useful for improvement of the salinity resistance in the tomato plants.