Chemical seed priming alleviates salinity stress and improves Sulla carnosa germination in the saline depression of Tunisia

Abstract

In the saline depressions (Sebkhas) of Tunisia, Sulla carnosa expresses anarchic distribution, sometimes in association with halophytes sometimes individually. In order to explain this distribution, we investigated the effects of salinity on seed germination, the osmotic and toxic limiting factors, and the importance of some stimulating agents (priming agents) in the improvement of the tolerance to salinity at the germinating stage. A study was conducted on seeds harvested from the natural biotope Sebkha d'El Kelbia (35°50′34″N, 10°16′18″E), and an increasing concentration of NaCl (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g L−1) was applied. Some priming agents were used to propose efficient, rapid, and low‐cost tools to improve the seed germination and tolerance of Sulla carnosa (Desf.) in saline depression. Salinity stress significantly decreased germination capacity and rate and delayed its initiation and maximum. Until 15‐g L−1 NaCl, the most limiting factor of seed germination is the osmotic effect. At 20‐g L−1 NaCl, the toxic effect dominates, and germination is irreversibly inhibited. Some priming agents have shown their efficiency in improving the germination capacity at 10‐g L−1 NaCl and conferring a salt tolerance of up to 15‐g L−1 NaCl.

Seed priming to optimize germination in Arthrocnemum Moq.

“…Seed priming constitutes an important biotechnological tool to promote dormant seed germination in addition to producing greater seedling resistance to salinity stress conditions. While it is true that the improvement of germination through seed priming treatments depends among other factors on the type of priming agent, the duration of exposure of the seeds to the agent, and its concentration [34,35,59,60]. Seed priming phases begin with their imbibition in a priming agent, followed by dehydration of the seeds and finally a reimbibition in water or in a medium favorable for germination [61].…”

“…Seed priming has turned out to be an advantageous method for optimizing crops such as wheat, barley, lentil or cucumber, among others [33]. Halo-priming is one of the most used methods to improve germination in halophytes through inorganic solutions [34,35]. According to these authors, seed priming begins with the exposure of the seeds to a priming agent (i.e., NaCl, KCl, KNO 3 , CaCl 2 , or plant hormones such as gibberellic acid).…”

Nematocidal Potential of Phenolic Acids: A Phytochemical Seed-Coating Approach to Soybean Cyst Nematode Management

“…In the last couple of decades, seed coating technology has gained increasing recognition as a lower-input, efficient, and more cost-effective approach to delivering agronomic treatments to aid pest control and improve crop productivity [ 8 ]. Seed treatment applications, both chemically and biologically driven, are emerging as promising management tools for reinforcing plant defenses against multiple biotic threats, such as nematode infection, while enhancing overall plant health [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Currently, most progress toward applied seed treatments has been made by developing chemical nematicides that can be exogenously applied to crop seeds through various methods.…”

Amelioration of the physio-biochemical responses to salinity stress and computing the primary germination index components in cauliflower on seed priming

“…India produces around 13% of global vegetable output and ranks first in cauliflower [ 58 ], but as soil salinity rises, crop production and economic outputs may begin to fall. Many B. oleracea crops are now struggling with the effects of salt and other abiotic stressors as a result of intensive field usage of different fertilizers and the fast expansion of protected farming land [ 59 , 60 ]. However, scar attempts have been made to combat and ameliorate the possible adverse salt stress influence in cauliflower.…”