Effect of priming on germination of sixth wheat varieties (Triticum durum Desf.)

Abstract

Abstract The present work compares the effect of priming on sixth Tunisian wheat varieties under normal and salt conditions at germination stage. It revealed that salinity have significantly reduced the growth attributes like germination percentage, germination index, coefficient of velocity, vigor index, seedling length, dry weight and water content with subsequent treatments. Salinity stress was induced by using NaCl in 100 mM. Seeds of the sixth cultivars primed with water (0 mM), Sodium Nitroprusside (0.06 mM), Calcium Silicate (8 mM), Potassium Nitrate (10 mM) have not only improved germination percentage but also considerably reduced germination time and increased germination index (GI), coefficient of velocity (CV) and vigor index indicating the potential for tolerating saline conditions. Seedling growth (seedling length, dry weight) and water content of seeds primed with H2O, SNP, Si, KNO3 was significantly higher than other non-primed seeds under the saline conditions. Priming with different agent was effective, nevertheless, the best results were obtained with SNP, Si and KNO3. On the other hand, seed priming with various priming agent has proved to be effective in inducing salt tolerance in terms of germination parameters, seedling characteristics, and water content in the sixth local commercial wheat cultivars.