University of Guilan Iranian Journal of Seed Sciences and Research 2476-3780 12 1 2025 03 21 Germination, initial establishment and yield of four potato cultivars in salinity stress condition Germination, initial establishment and yield of four potato cultivars in salinity stress condition 17 26 8802 10.22124/jms.2025.8802 FA Amir Hooshang Jalali Horticulture Crops Research Department, Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Isfahan, Iran. Majid Jafaraghaei Horticulture Crops Research Department, Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Isfahan, Iran. Journal Article 2025 02 22 To evaluate germination and initial establishment of four potato cultivars, a study was conducted using a split-plot design in a randomized complete block design with four replications at the Rudasht Salinity Research Station in Isfahan. The main plots included two control levels and salinity stress (soil and water salinity were 7.02 and 8.5 dSm^-1, respectively) and the subplots included four potato cultivars (Agria, Banba, Columba, and Sagita). The time from planting to emergence of the cultivars was 10 to 15 days later than in the control treatments, but all cultivars eventually germinated. The effect of salinity stress on the number of shoots produced from the mother tuber was significant. Contrary to expectations, the number of shoots produced from the mother tuber in the stress and control treatments was 4.1 and 1.7, respectively. The ratio of potassium to sodium in the leaves was 37.3% lower under salt stress conditions, but this ratio was significantly higher in the Sagita cultivar than in the other cultivars. The membrane stability index in the control conditions in the Agria, Columba, Banba and Sagita cultivars was 45, 43, 44 and 45%, respectively, and under stress conditions was 30, 30, 25 and 38%, respectively. The non-marketable yield in the salt stress treatment was approximately 3.7 times the marketable yield. Under stress conditions, delayed germination and initial establishment (not a decrease in germination percentage) and the lack of sufficient growth of vegetative organs to support tuber growth were the limiting factors for the production of the tested cultivars. To evaluate germination and initial establishment of four potato cultivars, a study was conducted using a split-plot design in a randomized complete block design with four replications at the Rudasht Salinity Research Station in Isfahan. The main plots included two control levels and salinity stress (soil and water salinity were 7.02 and 8.5 dSm^-1, respectively) and the subplots included four potato cultivars (Agria, Banba, Columba, and Sagita). The time from planting to emergence of the cultivars was 10 to 15 days later than in the control treatments, but all cultivars eventually germinated. The effect of salinity stress on the number of shoots produced from the mother tuber was significant. Contrary to expectations, the number of shoots produced from the mother tuber in the stress and control treatments was 4.1 and 1.7, respectively. The ratio of potassium to sodium in the leaves was 37.3% lower under salt stress conditions, but this ratio was significantly higher in the Sagita cultivar than in the other cultivars. The membrane stability index in the control conditions in the Agria, Columba, Banba and Sagita cultivars was 45, 43, 44 and 45%, respectively, and under stress conditions was 30, 30, 25 and 38%, respectively. The non-marketable yield in the salt stress treatment was approximately 3.7 times the marketable yield. Under stress conditions, delayed germination and initial establishment (not a decrease in germination percentage) and the lack of sufficient growth of vegetative organs to support tuber growth were the limiting factors for the production of the tested cultivars. https://jms.guilan.ac.ir/article_8802_30e8e06ba48e2a19dbda43a9bd77a828.pdf