The effects of priming on tomato seeds germination under suboptimal temperatures

The unsuitable climatic conditions such as suboptimal temperatures inhibit seed germination and plant growth and their yield may be reduced. The priming is considered as a promising technique for increasing of seed germination percentage and improvement of germination rate of many plants in stress condition. In this research effect of priming was investigated on seed germination of two tomato cultivars (Cherry and Falcato) under suboptimal temperatures. Priming was accomplished by soaking seeds in a polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) aerated solution (osmopriming) and in moist vermiculite (hydration) for 24 h at 250C. Seeds were laid in Petri dishes with two filter papers and were incubated in growth chambers at 10، 15، 20 and 250C and calculated the germination mean، mean germination time، germination velocity and T50. Result showed that both priming treatments improved germination percentage and rate of tomato seeds، even under suboptimal temperatures.