SEED VIGOR RESPONSE OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) VARIETIES HARVESTED FROM PLANTS FERTILIZED WITH ZNSO4 TO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SALINITY

Abstract

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a cereal crop with the potential for cultivation on marginal lands, including saline soils. However, salinity stress can reduce seed vigor and inhibit the germination process. This study aimed to determine the effects of ZnSO₄ fertilization and salinity stress levels as well as the interaction between ZnSO₄ and NaCl levels on the seed vigor of the Numbu sorghum variety. A 4×5 factorial design arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) was employed. The first factor was ZnSO4 application, comprising four levels (z0, z1, z2, and z3) with five replicates. The second factor consisted of five NaCl levels: 0.00%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.00%. Observed variables included Germination Rate (GR), Total Normal Seedling Percentage (TNSP), Abnormal Seedling Percentage (ASP), Non-Germinated Seeds (NGS), Strong Normal Seedlings (SNS), Weak Normal Seedlings (WNS), Normal Seedling Shoot Length (NSSL), Normal Seedling Primary Root Length (NSPRL), and Normal Seedling Dry Weight (NSDW). The results indicated that ZnSO4 application did not affect seed vigor; however, salinity levels of 0.50% 1.00% had a significant effect on the seed vigor of the sorghum.