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Effect of dIsInfectants In ImprovIng seed germInatIon of suaeda frutIcosa under salIne condItIons

ABDUL HAMEED, MUHAMMAD ZAHEER AHMED, SALMAN GULZAR AND M.  AJMAL KHAN*

Abstract: This research examines the possible role of two commonly used disinfectants viz., hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in improving seed germination and rate of germination of a subtropical cash crop halophyte, Suaeda fruticosa under saline conditions. Brief seed pretreatment with H₂O₂ (0.34%) and NaOCl (2%) had the following effects in various salinity (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mM NaCl) and temperature (10/20, 15/25, 20/30 and 25/35^oC) regimes. H₂O₂ ameliorated seed germination and rate of germination at moderate (15/25 and 20/30^oC) temperatures while NaOCl was effective at all temperature regimes up to 200 mM NaCl. Seed pretreatment with H₂O₂ and NaOCl prior to seeding could increase emergence, which may help in mass propagation of S. fruticosa.

Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan