Response of four genotypes of lentil to salt stress conditions

Responses to salt stress (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM NaCl) of four lentil (Lens culinaris M.) genotypes (three landraces, Castelluccio di Norcia, Pantelleria and Ustica and a commercial variety, Eston) were assessed in terms of seed germination efficiency (germination percentage, root length, dry and fresh weight and water uptake). Increasing of NaCl concentration reduced the germination percentage, the growth parameters and the relative water content; the inhibitory effects differed depending on the genotypes tested. In Castelluccio and, in minor extent, in Eston the magnitudes of such decrease were more as compared to Ustica and Pantelleria landraces, particularly at the greatest concentration of NaCl.