TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM L. SEED GERMINATION UNDER SODIUM HALIDE SALTS EXPOSURE.

Germination of seed to seedling is a physiological process that triggers a cascade of biochemical reactions. The quality of irrigation water can directly affect the early growth stages of a plant. Seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek) were exposed to three sodium halides, i.e., NaCl (50 & 100 ppm), NaI (50 & 100 ppm), and NaF (50 & 100 ppm) for two weeks. Seeds grown without the addition of sodium halides were taken as a control for comparison. Seedlings were harvested on the 15th day of sowing and the root and shoot length were recorded. Leaves, shoot, and root was separated, encapsulated in potassium bromide, and then loaded for Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. A slight increase (16.66%↑) in shoot length was observed with 50 ppm NaCl but 100 ppm NaCl did not show any change in seedling length as compared to the control. 50ppm NaI did not show any change in root length but shoot length was slightly decreased (16.66%↓), and 100ppm NaI showed reduced root (12.5%↓) and shoot length (25%↓) as compared to control. The seeds treated with NaF 100 ppm had the lowest shoot (50%↓) and root length (37.5%↓) among all treated and untreated groups. Unique FT-IR spectral patterns in control and treated seedlings indicate some conformational changes in macromolecules with sodium halide treatment. The overall absorption peaks of treated roots and stems were slightly different from the leaves. The effect of treatment on seedlings was found in the following order; NaCl < NaI< NaF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]