Evaluation of osmopriming effect on germination and establishment of henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.)

Priming is one of the seed germination enhancement methods that mayresult in increasment and uniformity of germination and facilitates seedling establishment in field even in the stress conditions. In other to evaluate the osmopriming effects on improvement of henbane (Hyoscyamus niger L.) germination, and to determine the best treatment for rapid seedling establishment, a factorial experiment based on RCD with three replications was performed at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Birjand. Osmotic solutions were prepared by using KNO3, NaCl and KH2PO4 at three osmotic potentials (-0.5, -1 and -1.5 MPa) and were applied on seeds for three priming periods (24, 48 and 72 hours). Results showed that priming periods and osmotic potentials did not affect germination percentage significantly, but their effects on other traits were significant at 0.01 probability level. Interaction effect of incubation time and osmotic potential was significant only on average germination time and root length at 0.01 and 0.05 probability levels, respectively. In general, seeds priming for 72 hours with KNO3 and KH2PO4 at -1.5 MPa had the greatest effect on improvement of henbane germination parameters.