The effects of salinity stress on seed reserve utilization and germination percentage of treated seeds of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Abstract

In order to investigate salinity stress on seed reserve utilization and seedling growth of treated seeds of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), an experiment was carried out. Factorial experiment was carried out in completely randomized design with three replicates. To create salinity stress, NaCl in osmotic levels at 0 (as control), -4, -8, -12 and -16 bar were used. For seed priming, gibberellin (GA) 50 ppm was used. Our results showed that treatment × drought interaction on these traits: germination percentage, weight of utilized (mobilized) seed, seed reserve utilization efficiency, seedling dry weight and seed reserve depletion percentage were significant. The highest germination percentage, weight of utilized (mobilized) seed, seed reserve utilization efficiency, seedling dry weight and seed reserve depletion percentage were attained from priming by gibberellin at control conditions. Thus, priming increased characteristics as compared to the unprimed. Priming improved seed reserve utilization such as: weight of utilized (mobilized) seed reserve, seed reserve depletion percentage, seed reserve utilization efficiency and seedling growth in barley under salinity stress.