Physiology

Abstract

Salt‐induced loss of sugars and amino acids and cations (K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) were measured in the presence or absence of varying concentrations of NaCl and Na₂SO₄ (7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 dS/m) from germinating sunflower seeds after 120 h. Significant loss of K⁺ and Mg²⁺ was found in both the salts with increasing salinity levels. Ca²⁺ was excluded more in chloride‐stressed seeds. Generally, there was no significant release of sugars and amino acids under salt stress. Inhibition of water uptake and the induction of K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ loss led to changes in turgor pressure and membrane integrity which affected the germination of the seeds.