The effect of osmopriming on the germination components of Lentil seed in arid areas

Priming exercise is significant, especially in dry areas where seed germination encounters problems due to the due to lack of soil moisture, because of its role in increasing seed germination speed. The impact of osmopriming on germination of lentil (ILL6199) seeds was analyzed in the laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture in Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr Branch, in 2010, following a completely randomized factorial design experiment with three replications. The factors which were analyzed included: polyethylene glycol (PEG) with concentrations of 5 and 10%, potassium nitrate (KNO3) with concentrations of 1 and 2%, Coloryd potasyom (KCl) with concentrations of 2 and 4%, and the duration of 4, 8 and 12 hours. The results indicated that the maximum length of root and shoot under 5% PEG was obtained during 4 hours, but the highest ratio of root to shoot length R/S and dry weight (R/S) obtained from priming with PEG and KNO3 concentrations of 5, 10, and 2% during the 12- and 8-hour period. The highest germination rate was obtained from 5% PEG priming.