Salinity tolerance dynamics in selected crop species at germination stage under in vitro and in situ conditions in Patuakhali, Bangladesh
6 affiliations
- 1Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Patuakhali Science and Technology University
- 2Department of Agronomy, Patuakhali Science and Technology University
- 3Department of Agroforestry, Patuakhali Science and Technology University
- 4Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Patuakhali Science and Technology University
- 5International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
- 6The Salt Doctors
Abstract
Salinity is a major abiotic stress limiting crop productivity, predominantly in coastal regions. This study aimed to evaluate the salinity tolerance of selected crop species at the germination stage under both in vitro (petri dishes) and in situ (pot culture) conditions. The main research question was to identify crop species capable of tolerating different salinity levels and to assess their physiological and ionic responses for suitability in saline coastal regions of Bangladesh. Fourteen crop species from pulse, vegetable, fodder, and fibrous groups were tested under salinity levels of 0, 4.50, 8.65, and 13.07 dS m⁻¹ in petri dishes. Parameters measured included germination percentage (GP), shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight, salinity tolerance index (TI), sensitivity index (SI), and Na+: K+. The five best-performing species in petri dishes were further evaluated in pot culture using saline soil (0.73–15.42 dS m⁻¹). Statistical analyses were conducted using ANOVA and Tukey’s test to determine the significance differences among the treatments. Germination generally decreased with increasing salinity, though snake bean and millet performed better at moderate levels. Five species showed GP > 80% in vitro, while in situ results exceeded 87%. Snake bean, cucumber, and gima kalmi were salt-tolerant up to 8.65 dS m⁻¹, while mung bean, jute, and kenaf were moderately tolerant. However, low control germination of millet limits confidence in salinity tolerance classification. A balanced Na+: K+ contributed to higher tolerance. Snake bean, cucumber, and gima kalmi are promising salt-tolerant crops, while several others show moderate tolerance. These findings provide preliminary evidence for prioritizing candidate crops for further field-based evaluation and adaptation strategies in saline coastal regions of Bangladesh.
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BibTeX
@article{islam2026salinity,
title = {{Salinity tolerance dynamics in selected crop species at germination stage under in vitro and in situ conditions in Patuakhali, Bangladesh}},
author = {Md. Shariful Islam and Amit Roy and Swarnadip Mondal and Md. Nizam Uddin and Md. Isfatuzzaman Bhuyan and Abdullah Al Zabir and Md. Alamgir Kabir and Md. Ektear Uddin and Gathala Mahesh Kumar and Bas Bruning and Arjen de Vos},
journal = {Discover Plants},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1007/s44372-026-00952-y},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-026-00952-y},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Salinity tolerance dynamics in selected crop species at germination stage under in vitro and in situ conditions in Patuakhali, Bangladesh
AU - Md. Shariful Islam
AU - Amit Roy
AU - Swarnadip Mondal
AU - Md. Nizam Uddin
AU - Md. Isfatuzzaman Bhuyan
AU - Abdullah Al Zabir
AU - Md. Alamgir Kabir
AU - Md. Ektear Uddin
AU - Gathala Mahesh Kumar
AU - Bas Bruning
AU - Arjen de Vos
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/25
JO - Discover Plants
DO - 10.1007/s44372-026-00952-y
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-026-00952-y
AB - Salinity is a major abiotic stress limiting crop productivity, predominantly in coastal regions. This study aimed to evaluate the salinity tolerance of selected crop species at the germination stage under both in vitro (petri dishes) and in situ (pot culture) conditions. The main research question was to identify crop species capable of tolerating different salinity levels and to assess their physiological and ionic responses for suitability in saline coastal regions of Bangladesh. Fourteen crop species from pulse, vegetable, fodder, and fibrous groups were tested under salinity levels of 0, 4.50, 8.65, and 13.07 dS m⁻¹ in petri dishes. Parameters measured included germination percentage (GP), shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight, salinity tolerance index (TI), sensitivity index (SI), and Na+: K+. The five best-performing species in petri dishes were further evaluated in pot culture using saline soil (0.73–15.42 dS m⁻¹). Statistical analyses were conducted using ANOVA and Tukey’s test to determine the significance differences among the treatments. Germination generally decreased with increasing salinity, though snake bean and millet performed better at moderate levels. Five species showed GP > 80% in vitro, while in situ results exceeded 87%. Snake bean, cucumber, and gima kalmi were salt-tolerant up to 8.65 dS m⁻¹, while mung bean, jute, and kenaf were moderately tolerant. However, low control germination of millet limits confidence in salinity tolerance classification. A balanced Na+: K+ contributed to higher tolerance. Snake bean, cucumber, and gima kalmi are promising salt-tolerant crops, while several others show moderate tolerance. These findings provide preliminary evidence for prioritizing candidate crops for further field-based evaluation and adaptation strategies in saline coastal regions of Bangladesh.
SN - 3005-1207
ER -