The effect of NaCl priming on germination and early growth of seeds of Festuca ovina L. under salinity stress conditions

Salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses that negatively affects the seed germination and growth of seedlings in plants. NaCl priming is of techniques to improve the seed performance and could increase germination percentage, growth of the seedlings and the mean time of seed germination under salinity conditions. This study was conducted to improve the seed performance of Festuca ovina under salinity stress conditions. A factorial experiment was applied based upon a completely randomized design with three replications (50 seeds per Petri dish). The effects of priming with three optimized dose (15, 30 and 45 dS/m) of NaCl solution for 24 h at 22±2 oC under dark conditions were assessed for improving seed traits of sheep fescue. NaCl primed Seeds were also examined at different salinity levels) 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 dS/m). Germination percentage and mean germination time were significantly affected by interaction of salinity and priming. Root length, shoot length and vigor index was not affected significantly by priming treatments in all salinity levels. Germination percentage of primed seeds especially in high salinity levels (15 and 20 dS/m) was greater than to non-primed seeds. The results showed that NaCl priming (especially at 45 dS/m for 24 h) in high salinity levels could increase the seed yield of Festuca ovina in terms of seed germination.