Effect of different seed priming methods on seed vigor and some seedling characteristics of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.)

In order to investigate the effect of seed priming on some seedling characteristic and seed vigor of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare L.), an experiment was conducted base on randomized completely design (CRD) with three replications at the Department of Agronomy and Plant Breading, Faculty of Agriculture, Maragheh University in Maragheh state in Iran. Traits such as plumule, radicle and seedling length, seedling dry weight, germination rate, final germination percentage and seedling vigor index. Treatment included control, water (H2O), sodium chloride (NaCl, 100 mM), salicylic acid (SA, 200 mg/lit), potassium iodide (KI, 500 mg/lit) and polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG-6000, water potential -1.6 MPa), in darkness for 18 hours. The results indicated that different priming treatments had significant effect on above traits. Control treatment had the lowest plumule, radicle and seedling length, seedling dry weight and vigor index and then H2O, SA and KI. PEG and NaCl in all of traits were better than the other priming treatments respectively. .

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Salicylic acid, Polyethylene glycol-6000, Seed priming, Seedling vigor index