Effect of seed priming on germination and seedling growth of two medicinal plants under salinity

Abstract

Priming is one of the seed enhancement methods that might be resulted in increasing seed performance (germination and emergence) under stress conditions such as salinity, temperature and drought stress. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of different priming types on seed germination of two medicinal plants including pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) and sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) under salinity stress. Treatments were combinations of 5 levels of salinity stress (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 ds m-1) and 5 levels of priming (control, GA 3 , Manitol, NaCl and distilled water) with 3 replications. Seeds of pot marigold and sweet fennel were primed for 24 h at 25°C. Results indicated that with increasing salinity, germination traits such as germination percent, rate and plumule length decreased, but seed priming with GA 3 and NaCl showed lower decrease. In all of the salinity levels, primed seeds (except manitol) possessed more germination rate and plumule length than control. The highest radicle fresh and dry weight in pot marigold was seen at 7.5 ds m-1 salinity stress level. It seems that higher germination rate in pot marigold shows higher tolerance to salinity than sweet fennel. Priming with NaCl and GA 3 caused an increase in germination percent of pot marigold and sweet fennel in various range of salinity, but in lower salinity levels percent of germination was higher than upper ones. The result of this experiment is consistent with the hypothesis that under undesirable conditions such as salinity stress, priming with GA 3 and NaCl can prepare a suitable metabolic reaction in seeds and can improve seed germination performance and seedling establishment.

Seed priming techniques in field crops -A review

“…The beneficial aspects of SA are that it could be used for the improvement of salt bearing capacity of many crops. Sedghi et al, (2010) results indicated that with increasing salinity, germination traits such as germination percent, rate and plumule length decreased, but seed priming with GA3 and NaCl showed lower decrease. In all of the salinity levels, primed seeds possessed more germination rate and plumule length than control.…”

Response of maize (Zea mays L.) to seed priming with NaCl and salinity stress

“…Similarly, Cano et al (1991) reported that fruit yield was greater in tomato plants derived from NaCl primed seeds than from non-primed ones when grown under saline conditions. The effect of NaCl priming is greater when salt treatment was applied at germination than when applied at seedling stage (Sedghi et al, 2010). The effect of seed priming on growth and yield have rarely been studied in many plants including maize (Foti et al, 2008).The present study investigate the effect of seed priming with NaCl on the growth and yield of two maize cultivars when subsequently exposed to salinity.…”

Effect of Priming on Seed Germination of Cucurbita Pepo under Copper Stress

“…One of the important strategies for increasing germination speed and germination percentage, to produce high quality seedling and plant optimal establishment is seed priming [2]. Priming is one of the seed enhancement methods that might be resulted in increasing seed performance (germination and emergence) under stress conditions [3]. Various seed priming techniques have been established and the best low cost methods like hydro-priming, priming with plant growth regulators, osmo-priming, solid matrix-priming, and bio-priming are practiced by framers in fields [4].…”