RESPONSES OF THREE TOMATO (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) VARIETIES TO DIFFERENT SALINITY LEVELS

One of the abiotic stressors that have a substantial influence on agricultural productivity is salt stress. The effect of salinity was examined on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) plants; as germination indices, growth parameters and biochemical responses of three tomato (‘Salimah’, ‘Yassamen’, and ‘Bushra’). The effect of salinity on germination indices has been studied in laboratory and pots trials, while growth parameters and biochemical traits of plants as well as seedling emergence were studied under greenhouse conditions. The results of this study showed that salinity at 12 ds.m-1 significantly lowered all assessed germination indices (germination percentage, speed of germination, mean germination time, mean daily germination, peak value of germination and germination value) in both laboratory and pot trials when compared to controls. The results showed that the growth parameters (plant height, leaf area index and fresh and dry weight of shoot and root) of plants treated with salinity at 6 and 12 ds m-1 for 45 days were reduced significantly compared to control, and the salinity effect was significant at 12 than 6 ds m-1 level. The results revealed that tested salinity at 12 ds m-1 reduced chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll significantly compared to other treatments, in contrast carotenoid, anthocyanin, proline, free amino acids, total soluble proteins, H2O2, MDA and membrane stability index (MSI) were significantly higher in tomato plants treated with salinity at 12 ds m-1 than other treatments. It's highly recommended to using tolerant variety ‘Bushra’ in salt affected area.