Effect of seed priming by salicylic acid on germination improvement and seedling growth parameters in garden cress (Lepidium sativum) under saline conditions

One of the critical stages of plant growth cycle, stages of germination and seedling establishment because it plays a major role in determining the final density of plants. Low seed germination and seedling emergence is one of the main problems in saline areas. Seed priming technique has been known as a cause to improve germination and seedling emergence under different environment stresses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of seed priming in improving seed germination, root and shoot length, root and shoot weight of Garden cress (Lepidium sativum), in response to 4 levels of NaCl (0, 50, 100 and 150 µM) and to 4 levels of priming by Salicylic Acid (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 µM). An experiment was conducted as factorial based on CRD with three replications in research laboratory of agriculture faculty of Maragheh University. The results showed that root length and shoot length were significantly (P<0.01) decreased by increasing salinity for unprimed seed (control) compared with primed seeds but root weight and shoot weight were non-significantly. Salinity conditions reduced seed germination percent. Non-stress and 150 µM NaCl Treatment had the maximum (95.3 %) and had the minimum (89.7 %) seed germination percent, respectively. Also in priming by salicylic acid control treatment and 500 µM had the maximum and the treatment 1000 and 1500 µM had the minimum seed germination percent. In concluction seed priming by salicylic acid improved the germination and seedling growth.

Seed priming, Seed germination, Salinity, Salicylic Acid, Lepidium sativum