EFFECTS OF SOIL SALINIZATION ON SEED GERMINATION AND PHENOTYPIC VARIABILITY IN PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.

Soil salinization negatively affects crop growth and productivity, with legumes like Phaseolus vulgaris L. being particularly sensitive. This study evaluated the “Yerli piyada” cultivar under salinity stress in field and laboratory experiments. Seed germination and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of leaf width were measured, showing that higher salinity reduced germination and increased FA. These results highlight FA as a sensitive indicator of plant tolerance and developmental stability under salt stress.