Effect of Hydro-priming and Salinity Stress on Germination Indices of Niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.)

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effect of hydropriming and Salinity stress on germination indices of Niger, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four replications at seed research laboratory of Shahrekord University. Salinity treatments were applied at five levels (0, 25, 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl). Hydropriming treatments were applied at two levels (control and 6-hour hydropriming with distilled water). Results showed that the effects of hydropriming with distilled water and salinity stress on all the studied traits were significant at P ≤ 0.01. However, the interaction effects of hydropriming and salinity stress were only significant for the mean germination time, root and shoot lengths, and the allometric coefficient. The hydro prime of Niger seed resulted in the germination percentage, speed and mean germination time to be decreased significantly compared to the control treatment. The germination percentage, the time to 50% of germination, mean germination time and germination energy decreased significantly with the increasing salinity level. Hydropriming positively affected the allometric coefficient and improved its value compared to the control (non-hydropriming conditions).