Effect of different osmotic potential and seed priming levels on some germination characteristics of Paneer phool (Withania coagulans)

Paneer phool plant is one of the most important medicinal plants in Balochistan region, which is spread in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. This plant is used in medicinal and therapeutic cases and is considered as an important cover plant in these areas. The germination of this plant is poor and environmental factors such as drought also have a negative effect on its spread. Therefore, an experiment was conducted with the aim of the effect of osmotic potential and seed priming on some germination characteristics of this plant in a factorial form in a completely randomized design with three replications in 2019. Experimental treatments included four levels of osmotic potential (0, -1, -2 and -3 bar) and eight seed priming treatments including hydropriming, non-priming, priming with gibberellin (200 and 400 ppm), salicylic acid (200 and 400 ppm) and potassium nitrate (200 and 400 ppm). The results showed that seed priming improved root length, shoot length, and germination percentage characteristics. Decreased osmotic potential reduced root length, shoot length and germination percentage. Decreased osmotic potential caused a decrease in seedling length, germination percentage and speed and seed vigor of wind cheese. Priming with gibberellin 200 ppm was the best priming treatment and increased seedling length, germination percentage and speed and seed vigor. In general, priming treatment with gibberellin 200 ppm can be recommended to improve germination traits in this plant.