Effect of seed priming with salicylic acid on growth characteristics of borage plants (Borago officinalis) seedlings

Germination and seedlings establishment are critical stages in the plant life under different environmental conditions. For investigation of seed priming effects on borage plants (Borago officinalis) characteristics, an experiment was carried out in a completely randomized block design in four replications. Treatments consisted of seed priming by salicylic acid concentrations (500, 000, 500, 000 µM), seeds priming by distilled water (hydropriming) and non priming seeds were considered as control. Results showed that priming with salicylic acid had significant effects on emerged seedlings percentage, mean time to emergence, emergence index, fresh and dry weight, leaf area and specific leaf area (SLA). The highest emergence and emergence index of seedlings with the lowest mean time to emergence was observed in 500 µM concentration of salicylic acid and the highest seedling dry weight and leaf area were found in 000 µm salicylic acid. The lowest values among treatments were belong to control followed by hydropriming of seeds treatment. Results indicated that dry weight of seedlings were increased by increasing emergence index and dereasing the mean time to emergence.