Effect of auxin and salt stress (NaCl) on seed germination of wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.).

Seeds of three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars included Mahdavi, Pishtaz and Shiraz, were used to investigate the effects of different salinity and auxin concentrations on their germination percent, radicle and hypocotyl length, seedling fresh and dry weight, radicle and hypocotyl dry weight. Results showed that increasing concentrations of NaCl reduced germination percentage, radicle length, hypocotyl length, seedling fresh and dry weight and hypocotyl dry weight. Hypocotyl dry weight increased in seeds only at -0.6 MPa. Auxin increased hypocotyl length, seedling fresh and dry weight and hypocotyl dry weight, but did not influence on seed germination percentage and radicle length. Pishtaz cultivar showed high seed germination percentage, radicle length and hypocotyl length in comparison to other cultivars while Shiraz cultivar had high radicle dry weights and Mahdavi cultivar produced high seedling fresh and dry weights.