Determination of the Effects of Different Salt Sources and Doses on Seedling Characteristics of a Local Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Variety

Salinity is a major environmental stress that adversely affects plant growth and development, leading to yield loss in agricultural production. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), widely cultivated in Turkey, is also sensitive to salinity. In this study, the effects of different salt sources (Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride) and concentrations (40, 50, 60, 70 mM) on the seedling characteristics of a local common bean variety were investigated. In the pot experiment conducted using a factorial design in randomized plots, shoot length, leaf length, leaf width, shoot fresh weight, leaf fresh and dry weight, plant water and dry matter content, and chlorophyll content were determined. The results showed that shoot length ranged from 7.10 to 11.80 cm, leaf length from 4.07 to 6.40 cm, leaf width from 3.67 to 5.43 cm, shoot fresh weight from 0.80 to 2.07 g, leaf fresh weight from 0.22 to 0.54 g, leaf dry weight from 0.03 to 0.86 g, seedling water content from 82% to 97%, seedling dry matter content from 3% to 18%, and chlorophyll content from 37.23 to 48.17. These findings reveal the negative effects of salt stress on plant growth and physiology.