The effects of salicylic acid and seed deterioration on germination indices and antioxidant enzymes changes of Carthamus tinctorius L. cv. Soffeh seed

The seeds of oilseed plants are susceptible to deterioration and the seed power in oilseed plants decreases faster over the time. In order to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid and seed aging on germination characteristics and biochemical changes of Carthamus tinctorius L. cv. Soffeh seeds,an experiment was conducted as a factorial base on completely randomized design with fourand three replications for germination and biochemical characteristics respectively. The first factor was priming by salicylic acid include seven levels in 0 (distilled water), 50 and 100 ppm for 24 and 48 h in 15°Cand without priming (control)and secondary factor was combinations four levels of aging (0, 2, 4 and 6 days). Results showed that the interaction of priming and aging effects on germination rate, normal seedling percentage, abnormal seedling percentage, seedling length, length of seed vigor index, seedling dry weight, weight of seed vigor index and EC were significant, but on germination percentage, total protein, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase only affected by the main effects.Results showed that germination characteristics with increasing in the aging duration were reduced significantly and using priming germination characteristics were increased but protein, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase decline along with increasing seed aging. In the study, using priming treatment salicylic acid 50 ppm for 48 h had higher germination characteristics and antioxidant activity and soluble proteins in comparison with untreated or control of safflower seeds.