Investigating physiological and biochemical

3.2.2.6 Statistical Analysis 
 
All the data presented in this study are mean of three replications. Analysis of 
variance (ANOVA) was performed by using a statistical package, Statistix 8.1. 
Significant differences among treatments were considered at the P ≤ 0.05 levels.
3.2.3 Results
 
3.2.3.1 Effect of salt stress on seed germination
 
All the genotypes showed almost similar germination percentage under control 
conditions where distilled water was applied for seed germination while germination 
percentage was highly affected by the application of salt treatments (Table 3.2.1) and 
it was significantly reduced between control and 200 mM NaCl. The maximum 
germination (100%) was recorded at control treatment (distilled water) while the 
minimum seed germination (78%) was observed at 200 mM NaCl. Significant 
variations were observed among genotypes regarding seed germination at various 

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levels of NaCl. Linseed genotypes did not differ at control regarding their germination 
but seed germination declined progressively when 100 mM NaCl solution was applied 
and it reduced to 86-88% in salt sensitive genotypes and 93-94% in salt tolerant 
genotypes. At 200 mM NaCl, the maximum germination was recorded in salt tolerant 
genotypes (84%) while the minimum germination was recorded in S-907 (78%) 
followed by C-99-3-115 (80%) (Table 3.2.1).
3.2.3.2 Effect of salt stress on seedling survival
 
In salt stress, seedling survival of plant is one the most important determinant of 
salt tolerance. Application of salt stress significantly affected the survival percentage 
of linseed seedlings which struggled hard to survive at 200 mM NaCl and minimum 
survival (40%) percentage was observed at this treatment level. It was observed that 
there was mixed response of salt tolerant and sensitive genotypes at increasing salt 
levels. Obviously, maximum seedlings survived at control treatment where no salt 
stress was applied. At control, even 100% seedling survival was observed in all the 
four linseed genotypes. With increasing NaCl treatments the percent survival of all 
genotypes decreased progressively. For example, at 100 mM NaCl the reduction in 
survival was 80-90% in both sensitive and tolerant genotypes. Highest reduction in 
survival was recorded at 200 mM NaCl, where survival percentage of S-907 declined 
to 40% followed by NO-303 which expressed 50% survival percentage (Table 3.2.1). 
Overall, genotypes followed the order as C-99-3-115 = 637-72 > NO-303 > S-907 in 
their survival at higher level of 200 mM NaCl treatment.