The effect of hormone and hydro priming on seed germination, growth and biochemical properties of borage seedling (Borago officinalis L.)

In order to study the effects of hormone and hydroprimng on seed germination, growth and antioxidant enzymes activity of borage seedling, an experiment was carried out based on completely randomized design with three replications at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2015. The Experimental treatments were seed priming with gibberellin (50, 100, 150 ppm for 12, 24, 48 hours) and salicylic acid (2, 3, 4 mM for 24, 48, 60 hours) hormones, hydropriming (12, 24, 48 hours) and control. The results showed that the percentage and rate of germination, seedling dry weight, vigor index and peroxidase and catalase enzymes activity of seedling from primed seeds were higher than those of control seeds. The highest germination rate was obtained with hydroprming for 48 hours and 4 mM concentration of salicylic acid for 60 hours, which was significantly higher than that of control seeds and other primed seeds. Vigor index and dry weight of seedling from hydroprimed seeds for 48 hours were about 6.8 and 6.5-fold higher than those of control seeds, respectively. The highest activity of catalase and peroxidase enzymes were obtained from seeds primed with 150 ppm gibberellin for 48 hour, which was significantly higher than those of other treatments. This treatment caused about 1.4 and 2-fold increase in activity of these enzymes. In general, application of hydropriming and priming with 150 ppm gibberllin for 48 hours and 4 mM salicylic acid for 60 hours is recommended for obtaining the highest germination and seedling growth.