Effect of Barley Seed Priming with Salicylic Acid on Germination and Seedling Vigor under Salt Stress
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65419/albahit.v5i3.153Keywords:
barley, seed priming, salicylic acid, salt stress, germination, seedling vigorAbstract
This study evaluated the effects of salicylic acid seed priming on barley germination, seedling growth, and vigor under salt stress and identified the most effective concentration. A completely randomized factorial design included five priming treatments: non-primed seeds, hydropriming, and salicylic acid at 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 mM, combined with NaCl at 0, 100, and 200 mM. Four replicates of 25 seeds were used per treatment combination. Final germination percentage, mean germination time, germination index, root, shoot, and total seedling lengths, fresh and dry weights, and length- and dry-weight-based vigor indices were measured. Data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s test at p ≤ 0.05.
Increasing salinity significantly reduced all measured traits, except mean germination time, which increased, indicating delayed germination. Priming significantly affected all variables. The interaction between priming and salinity was significant for final germination percentage, fresh weight, and both vigor indices, but not for the remaining traits. Salicylic acid at 0.50 mM produced the best response. At 200 mM NaCl, it increased germination from 42% in non-primed seeds to 69% and recorded the highest growth, biomass, and vigor values. The findings indicate that 0.50 mM salicylic acid was the most effective concentration for reducing salinity damage during early barley establishment. Further evaluation under soil and field conditions is required.
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