Effects of hydro‐priming and hormonal priming by gibberellin and salicylic acid on seed and seedling quality of carrot (Daucus carota var. sativus)

In order to improve seed and seedling quality indices of two carrot cultivars (Nantes and Forto), a hormonal priming technique was used. A factorial experiment was carried out on the basis of randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications and 16 hormonal priming treatments such as gibberellin and salicylic acid in four concentrations including 0, 50, 100 and 150 ppm. The interaction of cultivar ×hormone × concentration was significant for emergence percentage. The results showed that emergence rate, vigor index and root and shoot length were affected by treatments. The fastest and slowest emergence were observed in N‐0 (Nantes hydro‐primed seed) and F‐GA50 (Forto primed with Gibberellin 50 ppm) respectively. The highest vigor index was N‐0 (Nantes primed with distilled water) and least vigor index was N‐GA50 (Nantes primed with Gibberellin 50 ppm). In both cultivars, emergence rate, vigor index and root and shoot length of hydro‐priming were more than hormonal priming. Comparison of the two cultivars suggests that Forto has a more positive response to priming than Nantes.