The effect of soaking and drying seeds before planting on the germination and growth of Triticum vulgare under normal and saline conditions

Abstract

The soaking of wheat seed (Triticum vulgare L.) in water or CaCl2 solutions followed by air-drying before planting accelerated the germination but did not affect the final percentage germination and subsequent growth of the seedlings under normal conditions. However, under conditions of 0.5% NaCl salinity the soaking and drying of the seeds before planting stimulated the germination and growth of the seedlings. In no case were the presowing treatments more effective in improving the germination and root and shoot growth under 0.5% NaCl salinity than under normal condition. Under 0.5% NaCl salinity the seedlings grown from treated seeds had more extensive and deeper root systems than the seedlings grown from untreated seeds. Presowing soaking of the seed failed to improve the germination under increasing salinity of 1.0 and 1.5% NaCl.