Effect of methanol on germination characteristics of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) under drought stress

Rapid germination is an important factor determining the final yield. This study was performed to investigate the effects of different levels of methanol and drought stress on germination characteristics of lentil seedlings. The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with three replications in summer 2014 at the Khatam Alanbia University of Behbahan. The first factor was different levels of methanol equal to 0 (control)، 5، 10 and 15 volumetric percentage (v/v)، and second factor we negative water potential in four levels 0، -3، -6 and -9 bar by PEG. Results showed that there was a significant difference between different methanol concentrations regarding germination percentage، germination speed index، plumule and radical length، plumule and radical dry weight، radical area، radical diameter and consumed endosperm (P 0. 01). Different levels of methanol caused a significant decrease on germination characteristics compared with to control. Drought stress with -9 bar level significantly decreased germination percentage، germination speed index، plumule and radical length، plumule and radical dry weight، radical area، radical diameter and consumed endosperm compared to other levels. Effects of drought and methanol were significant differences regarding the germination speed index، plumule length، plumule dry weight and consumed endosperm (P 0. 05).