Effects of salinity on germination, seedling growth, and yield of melons

Summary

Four melon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars were tested for salt tolerance at germination, seedling growth stages, and plant maturation. ‘Noy Amid’ was the most tolerant during germination, achieving 56% germination in 15,000 mg/l NaCl solution. However, this cultivar and ‘Eshkolit Ha 'Amaqim’ were relatively sensitive during the first 4 days' growth of the radicle and the hypocotyl, and the first 3 weeks' development of the seedling. Their yields were reduced under saline as compared with non-saline field conditions. In contrast, ‘Honey Dew’ and ‘Rochet’ had little or no germination in 15,000 mg/l NaCl but showed salt tolerance during seedling growth stages. Yield of ‘Honey Dew’ was unaffected by saline field conditions, and that of ‘Rochet’ was not significantly reduced from the non-saline control. Thus, selection for salt tolerance in melons appears feasible during early vegetative growth stages but not during germination.