Abraha, B. and Yohannes, G.
(2013)
The role of seed priming in improving seedling growth of maize (Zea mays L.) under salt stress at field conditions.
Agricultural Sciences, 4 (12).
pp. 666-672.
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Abstract
Salinity is considered as a major abiotic stress
affecting germination, seedling growth and crop
production in arid and semi-arid regions. Many
techniques are used to improve tolerance to salinity.
Priming is believed to be an effective solution
that increases germination, plant growth
and improve yield of several vegetables and
crops under saline soil condition. The objective
of this study was to see the effect of seed priming
with 5 g/L NaCl on maize seedling growth
exposed to five salinity levels under field conditions.
Maize seeds were soaked in 5 g/L NaCl
solution for 12 h at room temperature. Primed
and unprimed seeds were sown in pots and were
irrigated with saline solutions of five concentrations
(0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g/l NaCl). Each pot was
irrigated with 200 ml saline solution of the desired
treatment in two days interval. Priming
seeds with NaCl significantly (P < 0.05) improved
growth of maize plants. As a result, fresh
and dry weights of shoots and roots were improved.
Seed priming alleviated the inhibitory
effect of salt stress on seedling growth of maize
under salt stress. Thus, seed priming with 5 g/l
NaCl could be used to improve early growth of
Zea mays. Further, this study needs to be continued
if performance of mature maize plants
could also be improved and yield could be increased
by sowing primed seeds in saline soils
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