AbstractSoil salinity is the serious problem of the arid and semi‐arid tracts of the world. It causes great losses to agriculture by lowering the yields of various crops. However, such soil may be utilized either after reclaimation or by growing tolerant plant species. The degree of salt tolerance varies not only with plant species but the different varieties of the same species show variation in salt tolerance. Germination and seedling stages have a bearing on plant development at later stages of growth and ultimately crop yield. Therefore, in the present investigation, twelve varieties of oats viz.,Colabagh, Kent, JHO‐801, JHO‐802, JHO‐810, JHO‐815, JHO‐816, S‐3021, S‐2688, Chauripatti, UPO‐201andSierrawere tested for their relative salt tolerance to increasing levels of salinity in those combination of salts which nearly exist in the natural salt affected soils. Seeds were sown in petri dishes and were exposed to five salinity (40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 me/L. of salts) levels. The germination percentage, root and shoot length and dry weight of the seedlings decreased with increase in salinity. In general, varietiesJHO‐815, JHO‐802, JHO‐816andUPO‐201were found to be more tolerant at germin
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