Osmo and hydro priming mediated germination improvement under cold stress conditions in mountain rye (Secale montanum)

Abstract

Seed priming techniques have been used to increase germination, improve germination uniformity and seedling establishment under stressed conditions. Seed priming was used in rye mountain (Secale montanum) to increase seed germination and tolerance on stress exposure (Cold stress). Rye seeds were treated with water (Hydro priming) and polyetelyn glycol 6000 (Osmo priming). The effect of priming was assessed on germination characteristics under cold stress (at 3◦C) for 7 days. Analyze of variance for hydro priming showed that temperature × time of priming interaction was significantly (P < 0.01) for all traits under cold stress and for osmo priming showed that Concentration of PEG × Temperature × Time of priming interaction was significantly (P < 0.01) for all traits under cold stress except seedling dry weight (SDW). For hydro priming the highest germination percentage (GP) was attained from hydro priming at 15±1°C for 16 h (70%), whereas the highest normal seedling percentage (NSP) (22.5%), germination index (GI) (8.57), seedling vigor index (SVI) (38.9) and seedling length (SL) (1.7 cm) were in the hydro priming at 10±1°C for 16 h. For osmo priming the highest germination percentage (GP) (80 and 80.5%), normal seedling percentage (NSP) (48 and 45%), seedling vigor index (SVI) (101.26 and 85.25) and seedling length (SL) (2.11 and 1.89 cm) observed in the osmo priming with concentrations of -9 and -15 bar PEG at 15±1°C for 24 h.