Abstract:
Salinity is an important
abiotic stress which can affect crop
production in the world. One of the simplest
methods for improving salinity tolerance of
plants is seeds priming. This experiment
was conducted to evaluate the effects of
seeds priming with three solutions (KCl ,
NaCl and CaCl2) in germination and later
growth of three pepper (Capsicum annuum
L.) cultivars: Beldi, Baklouti and Anaheim
Chili. Seeds germination was conducted in a
completely randomized design under seven
salinity levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 g L-1)
at room temperature for primed and control
seeds. Plants derived from these germinated
seeds (control and primed) were
transplanted and cultivated in a greenhouse
for 4 months and were irrigated permanently
with seven salinity levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
and 12 g L-1). The results showed that
salinity affected all parameters under study
like total germination percentage and
chlorophyll level (a and b). As well, proline
content increased as response to increasing
salinity. The plants derived and grown from
primed seeds showed a considerable
tolerance to salt stress and gave better
results. In fact, priming improved the salt
resistance of pepper owing to more
chlorophyll and proline accumulation.
These results suggest that seed priming
induced possible physiological adjustments
in pepper seeds, especially in the early
stages of development, and could be used as
a suitable tool for improving germination
and growth characteristics under salt stress
conditions.
