Effects of sodium chloride and mineral nutrients on initial stages of development of sunflower life

The effects of three levels of salinity [0, 50, and 100 mM of sodium chloride (NaCl)] and the addition of potassium, calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, manganese, and boron (K, Ca, N, P, Fe, Mn, and B) on seed germination and survival of Helianthus annuus L. plants grown in an inert medium were studied. Increasing levels of salinity significantly decreased germination percentage. The presence of NaCl affected seedling survival rather than germination. Nitrogen addition damaged seedling growth, especially in high saline conditions. Addition of some nutrients may alleviate the effects induced by NaCl. Calcium additions to the culture medium significantly improved germination percentage and seedling survival, which markedly decreased after addition of K and B under saline conditions. Iron addition, especially in the ferrous form, counteracted the effects of salinity on seed germination and seedling survival. Phosphorus addition showed detrimental effects on germination and especially in seedling survival; however, it benefited the surviving seedling's growth.