Abstract Priming is one of the seed enhancement methods that under stress conditions, such as salinity, temperature and drought, may result in increased seed performance (germination and emergence). This study was performed to evaluate the effects of priming on seed
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Abstract Priming is one of the seed enhancement methods that under stress conditions, such as salinity, temperature and drought, may result in increased seed performance (germination and emergence). This study was performed to evaluate the effects of priming on seed germination, seedling emergence and establishment and yield performance of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) landrace from Shiraz under salinity stress at laboratory and field conditions. This study was conducted as a factorial with three replicates in a completely randomized design in the laboratory and complete randomized block design in the field. Treatments included combinations of three levels of hydropriming time (0, 12 and 24h) and four levels of salinity (0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 ds/m) for field study with three replications. Results indicated that with increase in the stress levels, germination traits such as germination percent and rate, root and seedling length and dry weight, significantly decreased, while this decrease in primed seeds was less. In the field, seedling emergence rate and percentage, plant height, biological yield, weight of 1000 seeds and grain yield were significantly increased by hydropriming. Hydropriming treatment reduced the negative effects of salt stress on the fennel seeds and plants, so that in all traits, maximum improving effects was observed with 24h of hydropriming and this treatment significantly decreased the effects of salt stress.
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