Soybean seeds were germinated under neutral and alkaline salt stress, allowing us to compare germination and growth parameters, mineral levels and the relationship between these factors under each form of stress. The germination rate, germination potential, germination index and biomass were affected by salinity, and the effects were more severe when the salinity was caused by alkaline salts. There was a significant correlation between the germination parameters and mineral levels under salt stress, with mineral elements becoming less concentrated in the cotyledon but more concentrated in the root, resulting in a mineral imbalance. These effects were exacerbated in the presence of alkaline salts. Our data indicated that salt stress, particularly alkaline salt stress, caused a mineral ion imbalance in soybean seedlings, resulting in the inhibition of germination and growth.