ARS | Publication request: Effect of NaCl on Germination of Sugar Beet

Submitted to: Annual Beet Sugar Development Foundation Research Report
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: May 15, 2010
Publication Date: June 1, 2010
Citation: Lindsay, R., Naegele, R.P., Mcgrath, J.M. 2010. Effect of NaCl on Germination of Sugar Beet [CD-ROM]. 2010 Annual Beet Sugar Development Foundation Research Report. Denver, Colorado: Beet Sugar Development Foundation.

Technical Abstract: Sugar beet is a salt tolerant crop, but is most vulnerable to salinity during germination. The goal of this research is to examine the response to salinity on the germination of sugar beet, ultimately to provide germplasm that has an agronomic use in saline soils around the world. Expanding the characterization of preliminary salt-tolerant germination materials, a set of germplasm was grown under field conditions. From germplasm that showed high emergence and stand establishment, a set of 14 was chosen for plate germination experiments. A wide range response was seen, suggesting differences in seedling vigor, as well as a potentially useful method to discriminate small differences in seedling vigor. Seed for selections for this experiment were increased in bulk and harvested by seed parent family. Progeny from Ames 3051 showed excellent germination at high salt concentrations.