INVESTIGATION OF SEED GERMINATION OF Trifolium alexandrinum L. CULTIVARS SEEDS IN RESPONSE TO POTASSIUM SULPHATE AND MAGNESIUM SULPHATE STRESS

Trifolium alexandrinum is commonly known as Berseem/Egyptian clover and considered to be of high nutritional value for humans and are also used for cattle feed. T. alexandrinum is one of the most utilized forages worldwide. Seed germination is affected by water unavailability and prevailing abiotic stress therein. Germination for the seeds of T. alexandrinum cultivars, Bundel Berseem-1 (BB1), Bundel Berseem-2 (BB2), and Bundel Berseem-3 (BB3) under different K2SO4 and MgSO4 salts with salt concentration ranging from 0 mM, 25 mM, 50 mM, 75 mM, 100 mM, and 150 mM was carried out. The outcome of the research indicated almost negligible deviating response up to 50 mM salt concentration but when the tested cultivars were exposed to more than 50 mM and started reaching 100 mM and 150 mM, then significant differences between the rate of germination for the tested cultivars was witnessed. The respective TI for the measured radicle, plumule, and cotyledonary leaf was also found contrasting. The study suggested BB1 as susceptible cultivar and BB2 and BB3 more tolerant than BB1 to salt stress.