A study was carried out under greenhouse conditions with the objective of verifying the effects of salinity of irrigation water on the germination and seedling vigor of irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar 'Formoso'. Germination and vigor were evaluated adopting a completely randomized experimental design with 5 levels of water salinity - (ECw: 0.5, 2.5, 4.5, 6.5 and 8.5 dS m-1) - and 5 replications. Most of the seeds germinated 4 days after sowing (DAS). The 'Formoso' cultivar was found to be tolerant to the tested salinity levels in the germination stage, reaching a germination level of above 87% (14 DAS) in all the treatments. For the seedling vigor, a completely randomized design was adopted in 5 x 2 factorial scheme with 5 replications. The applied salinity levels were the same and the vigor was evaluated through the variables: dry weight of root and shoot, root/shoot ratio, height of seedlings, root length and number of leaves at two different stages (8 and 13 DAS). The effect of salinity increased in the seedling phase reducing the vigor.
water salinity; irrigation; vigor; Oryza sativa L.
