Effects of NaCl, CaCl2 and their combination of salt on seed germination and seedling growth of Lycopersicon esculentum L.

To compare the effect of NaCl, CaCl2 and their combinations on germination and early seedling growth stages of Lycopersicum esculentum L., were studied under pot experiments 2008. Results indicated that significant increases were recorded in percentage of germination, seedling fresh and dry weights, seedling length, water content, catalase activity and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophylls as well as carotenoids) under the low level concentration (20 mM) of NaCl or CaCl and their combination (1:1). On other hand increasing salt concentration in nutrient solution caused significant decrease in all of these parameters. The great reduction occurred under high salinity level of NaCl (50 mM). Meanwhile, peroxidase activity increased significantly with increasing salinity levels from 20 mM to 50 mM of both applied salinity types. Besides, peroxidase activity under NaCl salinity showed a marked increase followed by NaCl + CaCl2 (1:1) and CaCl2 at 50 mM