Seed priming using different osmolytes on growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)in saline soils

Seed priming technique play significant role to conserve water in seed to regulate seed germination. There are different osmolytes used to strengthen the process of priming. This study was planned in laboratory and wire house to monitor the effects of priming. Laboratory study was conducted to monitor rate of germination by using CaCl2, CaSO4 2-, Ca(NO3)2, K2SO4 and Si(OH)4 with control. Petri dishes were used to imbibe seed for (4, 6 and 8 hrs.) seeds with and without these five osmolytes. The rate of germination was monitored as a result 6 h priming gave best germination rate and highest root and shoot lengths of wheat seedlings. On the basis of this study, a pot experiment was conducted in the wire house ISES, UAF, in CRD, factorial arrangement with 6 h priming with 1% solution each of CaCl2, CaSO4.2H2O, Ca(NO3)2, K2SO4 and Si(OH)4 plus control. These osmolytes were used in soil with or without salinity (1 % NaCl). Each treatment was replicated three times. Different parameters like plant height, number of tillers, no of leaves, length of spikelets, root length, grain weight and plant biomass was increased in the treatments primed with K2SO4 and Si(OH)4 more than that of other osmolytes used for priming in non-saline conditions. All these parameters increased with CaSO4 and Si(OH)4 priming in saline conditions. Relative water contents (RWC), membrane stability index (MSI) and chlorophyll contents showed similar trend. Leaf water potential increased with increased priming (6h) and maximum potential was observed when seeds were primed with Si(OH)4 (1 %) in both SARC-1 and Galaxy 2013 under saline and non-saline conditions. K2SO4 showed maximum potential with it under non-saline conditions and CaSO4. 2H2O (1%) was the best under saline conditions. Leaf K+ increased with priming of K2SO4 and Si(OH)4 and followed same trend under both saline and non-saline conditions. Leaf Na+ was more in control (hydroprimed) than other used osmolytes (haloprimed).