The effect of pretreatment of salicylic acid on radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seed germination under salt stress

Optimal germination and plant establishment is an important consideration for agricultural productivity in arid and semi-arid areas. Priming is an approach for increasing plant establishment especially in undesirable conditions. To evaluate the effects of radish seeds priming with salicylic acid (SA) on seed germination indices and inducing tolerance to salt stress condition, this experiment was carried out. SA was applied as seed priming in 0, 1, 2 and 3 mM concentrations on radish seeds for 24 hours, then transferred to sterile Petri dishes and added 10 ml of NaCl solution with different concentrations including 0, 4, 8 and 12 dS/m. Germination rate and percentage, radicle and plumule length ratio, radicle / plumule weight ratio and proline content in radicle and plumule were recorded. Salinity decreased radish seed germination in high NaCl concentrations (12 dS/m). Application of SA increased germination percentage in stress and non-stress conditions. SA increased the plumule and radicle length ratio. However, 1 mM SA was the most effective treatment on the percentage and rate of seed germination. Proline content in plumule and radicle was increased under salt stress.