To investigate the effects of soda-alkali stress at different concentrations on seed germination and seedling growth of pearl millet （Pennisetum glaucum）， twelve genotypes of pearl millet germplasms were used as experimental materials. Using the Petri dish filter paper germination method， soda-alkali stress was simulated by preparing mixed solutions of NaHCO₃ and Na₂CO₃ at a molar ratio of 9∶1， with concentration gradients of 0， 40， and 60 mmol·L^-1. Germination-related parameters， encompassing germination rate， germination potential， germination index， vigor index， radicle emergence length， and plumule development length， were measured during the seed imbibition phase. A comprehensive evaluation framework for assessing soda-alkali stress tolerance was established through fuzzy membership function analysis combined with principal component clustering methodology. The results demonstrated that soda-alkali stress significantly inhibited seed germination and seedling growth of pearl millet， with the inhibitory effects intensified as the concentration of soda-alkali solution increased. Furthermore， substantial genotypic variation was observed in soda-alkali stress tolerance during the germination stage among different pearl millet genotypes. Cluster analysis classified the 12 genotypes into four distinct categories： （1） soda-alkali tolerant type （represented by Ca1165， accounting for 8.33%）， （2） moderately tolerant type （including Ca399， Ca727， Ca396， Ca742， and Ca382， comprising 41.67%）， （3） sensitive type （comprising Ca425， Ca481， Ca736， and Ca406， representing 33.33%）， and （4） highly sensitive type （consisting of Ca424 and Ca397， accounting for 16.67%）.

Soda-alkali stress  /  Pennisetum glaucum L.  /  Seed germination  /  Seedling growth