PJB-2018-1020
EFFECT OF SALINITY AND SEED PRIMING ON GROWTH OF WHEAT VARIETIES
Shazma Anwar
Abstract
Salinity is an extensive environmental limiting factor for germination and growth characters of crops. To improve performance of wheat varieties, under varying saline conditions, a pot experiment was carried out at The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan. Seeds of wheat varieties Bakhtawar-92 and Auqab-2000 were primed with 30 mM NaCl (dry seeds as control). The two varieties were evaluated in soil growth media with salinity levels of 0, 4, 6 and 8 dSm-1. Experimental finding reveals that salt stress levels and seed priming treatment has influenced significantly (P≤0.05) all growth parameters, except plant height. Wheat variety Bakhtawar-92 was superior in term of highest germination percentage (86.88), tillers plant-1 (4.35), plant height (57.60 cm), leaves plant-1 (20.48) shoot dry weight (2.30 g plant-1) shoot K+ content (1.37 mg g-1 dry weight) shoot K+/Na+ ratio(1.44). Variety Auqab-2000 took maximum days to emergence (10.58 days) and shoot Na+ content (1.42 mg g-1 dry weight). Seed priming treatment proved beneficial and enhanced all parameters, however, significant reduction was observed in shoot Na+ content and days to emergence. Compared with Inqilab-1991, variety Bakhawar-92 showed highest impact of seed priming. It is concluded from results, that to mitigate adverse influence of salinity on germination and growth characters of wheat, seed priming is recommended prior to seed sowing.
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