Abstract: [Objective] This study aimed to assess the effects of different saline-alkali stresses on seed germination and seedling growth of forage triticale（× Triticosecale Wittmack）. [Method] The solutions of NaCl, Na₂SO₄, Na₂CO₃ and NaHCO₃ were used to simulate the saline-alkali stress environments, with Na⁺ concentrations set at 0 （CK）, 50, 75, 100, 150 and 200 mmol/L for each solution. Seed germination experiments were conducted to evaluate the change patterns of germination percentage （Gp）, germination index （Gi）, mean germination time （MGT）, seedling vigor index （SVI）, embryonic root length and embryonic bud length of forage triticale under the stresses induced by different types of saline-alkali and concentrations of Na⁺, to reveal the response characteristics of seed germination and seedling growth to different saline-alkali stresses. [Result] Different types of saline-alkali, concentrations of Na⁺ and their interactions all had extremely significant （P<0.01） impacts on Gp, Gi, MGT, SVI, embryonic root length and embryonic bud length of forage triticale. With the increase of Na⁺ concentrations, Gp, Gi, SVI, embryonic root length and embryonic bud length of forage triticale decreased, while MGT elevated. Under the same Na⁺ concentration, forage triticale seed exhibited higher tolerance to neutral salt stress than alkaline salt stress. [Conclusion] With the increase of Na⁺ concentrations, the inhibitory effects of different saline-alkali stresses on seed germination and seedling growth of forage triticale enhanced. Alkaline salt posed stronger inhibitory effect than neutral salt. Forage triticale seed showed certain tolerance to the stress induced by the lower Na⁺ concentrations, indicating that it could be planted on the mild saline-alkali soils in China.

Key words: forage triticale, saline-alkali stress, seed vigour, seed germination, seedling growth