Effect of Different Levels of Salinity on Growth and Ion Contents of Black Seeds (Nigella sativa L.)

A pot experiment was conducted to assess the effect of different salinity levels on growth and ion contents of black seeds (Nigella sativa L.) at Shakarganj Botanic Garden, Jhang, Pakistan. There were three levels of NaCl salinity as 0 (control), 3 dS/m and 6 dS/m. All growth attributes such as fresh and dry shoot weights, shoot length decreased with increase in salinity levels, but in contrast root length increased with increase in salinity levels. Na, Cl, and K concentrations increased with increase in salinity but Ca concentration was lower as salinity levels increased. It was concluded that with increase in salinity levels there was a significant reduction in biomass production in black seeds. Pattern of accumulation of ions varied significantly.