Department of Agronomy

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Browsing Department of Agronomy by Author "Bahizire, Francois B."

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    Effect of salinity on germination and seedling growth of Canola (Brassica napus L.)
    (Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2007-03) Bahizire, Francois B.; Agenbag, G. A.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Agronomy.
    Soil salinity is a serious constrain to crop production in many countries. In the Western Cape canola production area, large variability in soil properties within the same field is a very common feature. Some of this variability may be ascribed to differences in salinity. These saline patches affected the germination and survival of cereal crops like wheat and may therefore also be a reason for the high variability and generally low canola yields obtained in this area. It will therefore be important to quantify the effect of such saline conditions on the germination and seedling establishment of canola in an effort to improve yields. In this study several experiments were conducted under controlled conditions in either Petri dishes in an incubator or pots in a temperature controlled glasshouse to determine the salinity response of canola. Results of the experiments done in Petri dishes, showed that the germination response of canola (Brassica napus L., cv. Tornado) to increasing levels of salinity is very similar to that of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv SST 88). Although canola germinated more rapidly than wheat at a temperature of 20 ÂșC, the final percentage germination for both crops decreased severely when NaCl induced salinity exceeded levels of an EC of 8 dS m-1, but less severe responses were obtained with NaCl/CaCl2 induced salinity. Under soil conditions an interaction between soil type and salinity level showed that the responses in sandy soil to an increase in salinity from 0 to 8 iv dS m-1 were less severe than in loamy soil and especially when salinity stress was induced by NaCl. Although cultivar Spektrum showed more tolerance to saline conditions during the germination and seedling stages in pot experiments when compared to other cultivars tested, these results will have to be confirmed in field trails where grain yield and quality can be measured.