Evaluation of salt tolerance of four Festuca arundinacea varieties during seed germination stage

Seeds of four Festuca arundinacea varieties (Barlexas, Arid 3, Jaguar 3 And Red Elephant) germinated under the stress of 0, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, 1.0% NaCl solutions. The relative germination percentage, the relative germination potential, the ratio of root to seedling and relative reduction percentage of root length were measured during the germination stage. The results of this study showed that the relative germination percentage, relative germination potential and the ratio of root to seedling of four varieties declined with rising salt concentrations, while the relative reduction percentage of root length increased. The results of comprehensive evaluation showed that Barlexas was the most salttolerant variety, but Arid 3 was the weakest one among four varieties.