Impact of Water-deficit and Salinity stress on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Capsicum annuum 'Solan Bharpur'

In both natural and agricultural conditions plants are frequently exposed to environmental stresses. The aim of present study is to determine the adverse effects of abiotic stresses viz. water and salinity stress on the growth of Capsicum annuum ‘Solan Bharpur’ at the germination and seedling growth stage using polyethylene glycol 6000 (5% PEG and 10% PEG) and NaCl (50 mM NaCl and 100 mM NaCl). Proline, MDA and chlorophyll content were also assessed. Seed germination and seedling growth reduced with increasing concentrations of PEG or NaCl. However, PEG induced water stress caused more growth inhibition compared to NaCl induced salinity stress. Water and salinity stress caused increase in the level of proline and MDA of both shoots and roots. The total chlorophyll content decreased with an increase in water or salinity stress.