Effect of seed priming with salicylic acid on germination and growth indices of borage seedling under salinity stress

One of the effective methods against stress in seed germination is to use the seed priming technique. For this purpose, a factorial experiment in a randomized complete design was carried out on the effect of salicylic acid pretreatment (500, 1000, and 1500 mM) on germination and some seed characteristics of borage (Borago officinalis. L.) under salinity levels (50, 100 and 150 mM). The traits included length, weight, ratio of root and shoot, seed protein concentration, and seed germination percentage. Based on the results in response to salinity stress conditions, seed morphological growth changed drastically, reducing the length of the radicle and shoot as well as their weight decreased. However, salicylic acid treatment by changing the ratio caused maintenance and stability of the morphological activity in borage seeds. In general, salicylic acid treatment under salinity stress can be used to enhance the germination and growth activity of borage.