The effect of seed priming by salicylic acid on germination of milk thistle under salinity stress

Salicylic acid is an important intermediate molecule for the response of plants to environmental stresses. To study the effect of seed priming by salicylic acid on germination of milk thistle under salinity stress, a factorial experiment was conducted based on completely randomized design in three replications in 1394 at the Islamic Azad University, Miyaneh. Treatment was conducted seed priming with salicylic acid each with four levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/L) and four NaCl levels (0, 40, 80 and 120 mM/L). The end of experiment, germination percentage, germination rate, root length, seedling length, seedling fresh weight, root fresh weight, vigor index seed and vigor index seedling were measured. Increase in salinity concentration reduced germination indices but priming by salicylic acid under salinity had improved on germination indices. The most appropriate level of salicylic acid was to reduced salinity effects and improve germination with 200 mg/L salicylic acid with or without salinity stress. Therefore, seed priming by salicylic acid with 200 mg/L can cause resistance of seed milk thistle under salinity stress.