Response of two pepper species (Capsicum chinense Jacq. and Capsicum frutescens L.) to salt stress at germination stage in Northeast Brazil

Salinity is one of the striking problems in agricultural production many parts world. Seed germination and seedling growth are two critical stages for establishment crops generally most sensitive to salt stress. The present study aimed at evaluating initial pepper seedlings produced from seeds under different soaking times NaCl solutions. experiment was carried out a completely randomized design, 2 × 4 5 factorial scheme using species (Capsicum chinense Jacq. Capsicum frutescens L.), four levels electrical conductivity (EC) solutions (1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0 dS m-1) five seed (2, 4, 6, 8 10 h), with three replications. traits evaluated were number germinated seedlings, percentage germination, height, root length. results showed that C. more tolerant saline prepared compared chinense. Thus, suggest depending on species, it recommended use primed salinity compatible those field conditions (in soils and/or irrigation waters).