Effect of priming on germinability and salt tolerance in seeds and seedlings of Physalis peruviana L

Abstract

In some species, pre-germination treatments such as priming can increase germinability and the speed of the process, besides conferring tolerance to abiotic stress. The central effect of priming is the slow and controlled absorption of water in seed tissues, allowing the membranes to reorganize and synthesize protective substances against stress. This study was performed to assess the effects of priming on the invigoration of seeds and seedlings of Physalis peruviana subjected to salt stress. Seeds of P. peruviana were primed in polyethylene glycol 6000 to -0.8 MPa and were germinated in solutions with different salt concentrations (0, 4, 8 and 12 dS m^-1). In addition to the rate of radical emergence, post-seminal development was also evaluated until the emergence of the cotyledons. Germinability decreased with increasing salt solution concentrations in both types of seeds. Priming appeared to alleviate the effects of salt stress in the early stages of development of P. peruviana. Total dry mass of seedlings increased under saline conditions, suggesting possible physiological adjustments induced by priming.

Keywords: Germination, priming, salt stress, Solanaceae

African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(19), 1955-1960