Enhancement of salinity stress tolerance in cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) using seed priming with Amla extract and NaCl.

Abstract

Salinity is one of the most crucial variables that limits crop productivity and quality. They influence various physiological processes, including seed germination and subsequent plant growth. The negative effects of salinity stress on germination could be minimized through different seed priming treatments. In this regard, this study was conducted to investigate the priming of cumin seed with both Amla extract and salt solution (NaCl) as an interesting strategy to improve salt tolerance and its impact on cumin (Cuminum cyminum L) seed germination and growth. Our data showed that seed priming before planting in Amla extract and salt solution improved growth parameters such as cumin length, number of branches, fresh weight, seed weight per plant, and number of seeds per umbel. The present study also showed a decrease in growth parameters under severe stress conditions (50 mM NaCl), while plants pre-soaked with both Amla extract and salt solution reduced this effect. Pre-soaking in Amla extract and salt solution reduced the inhibitory effect of salt stress on photosynthetic pigments and significantly increased the content of essential oils, total phenolic, flavonoids, amino acid content, proline, and antioxidant activity under the influence of severe salt stress. The findings of this research revealed that treatment of cumin plants with both Amla extract and NaCl strongly stimulated the expression of the SA, PRO, and POX genes.