Drought Stress Effect on germination and Seedling Growth Indices in 5 Sugar Beet Genotypes

Drought is among the main inhibiting factors in growth in environments. Hence, to study various osmotic drought stress levels in beet a research was conducted in a factorial experiment based on the complete randomized block design with three replications in towel paper in greenhouse conditions. Drought levels in this research included 0 and -6 bars. To apply that, firstly by pressure plates device soil humidity percentage in various soil capacities were determined and subsequently, considering pots weight watering rate was determined. Studied traits in this research included final germination percentage, speed of germination coefficient, germination index, germination duration mean, speed of germination, mean daily germination, total fresh weight and total dry weight. Data ANOVA suggested that there is a significant difference found between drought stress levels on all studied traits at 5 and 1percent. Also, except total fresh weight, there was a significant difference found between all genotypes on studied traits at 5 and 1perent. Also, results indicated that, on the interaction between drought stress level in genotypes, except mean daily germination and total fresh weight, there was a significant difference on all traits at 5 and 1percent. Results showed that PEG leads to decrease in speed of germination coefficient, germination index, speed of germination, mean daily germination and total fresh weight and increase in germination duration mean and total dry weight.