Abstract:
Salinity is considered as a
major abiotic stress affecting crop
production in arid and semi-arid regions in
the world. Poor germination and decrease of
seedling growth are major results of poor
crop establishment and failure. Many
research studies have shown that seed
priming is an efficient method for increasing
plant growth and yield in saline condition.
For this reason, this experiment was
conducted to evaluate the effects of NaCl
priming on the emergence and seedling
growth of Tunisian fenugreek (Trigonella
foenum-graecum L.) under salinity
conditions. Seeds of fenugreek were primed
with NaCl (4 g L-1) for 36 h in continuous
25°C. Primed (P) and non-primed (NP)
seeds were sown in plastic pots and placed
in greenhouse for 4 months. Experiments
were conducted using various NaCl
concentrations (0, 4, 6, 8 and 10 g L-1).
Results showed that emergence percentage
of primed seeds was greater than nonprimed
seeds. Roots length, plant height,
leaf area, fresh and dry weight and yields of
plants derived from primed seeds were
higher compared with non-primed seeds.
Na+ content of plants derived from primed
seeds was lower than that of primed ones. In
the other side, K+ and Ca2+ content of plants
derived from primed seeds was higher
compared with plants derived from nonprimed
seeds. These results suggest that
NaCl priming of fenugreek seeds increased
salt tolerance of seedlings by reducing Na+
and promoting K+ and Ca2+ accumulation.
