Effect of priming on seed germination and growth of Madagascar periwnkle under salinity stress

Salinity is one of the abiotic stresses that has a major role in limiting the development and cultivation of plants in the green space. One of the most sensitive periods in life cycle of plants is the stage of germination and establishment of the plant in the soil. The application of priming has been effective in improving the germination of many plants. The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of priming on the germination of the periwinkle seeds under salt stress. The experiment was conducted based on a factorial in a completely randomized design with three replications. The factors include four salinity levels using sodium chloride (0, 4, 8 and 12 dS/m) and five priming levels (potassium nitrate 100 and 200 mg/l and ascorbic acid 100 and 200 mg/l and distilled water). The results showed that salinity reduced all investigated traits, but seed priming was effective in modulating the effect of stress at all salinity levels. Potassium nitrate priming was more effective than ascorbic acid. In treatment without salt stress, the application of priming in some levels, parameters such as seedling length, seedling fresh and dry weight, tissue water content increased compared to the control. According to the results obtained from this experiment, it is suggested that more research be done to reach the appropriate level of potassium nitrate priming for germination of periwinkle plant under salinity stress.