Effect of Seed Priming on Vegatative growth and solt tolerance of Pupmkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) under Saline Strss

This research was carried out in order to evolution effect of seed priming on seedling growth of Pupmkin, in Islamic Azad University, shoushtar Branch, Iran, in 2008. The experimental design was factorial arranged in a completely randomized design; with 3 replications. The first factor was seed priming(15% and 25%PEG solution, 0.25 and 0.35 KNO3 solution and hydropriming) and the second factor was salt treatment (0, 4 and 6 ds/m). Results showed that salt stress decreased Pupmkin seedling dry weight and shoot K+ concentration but increased The shoot Na+ concentration. Results showed under saline condition Pupmkin seed priming by KNO3 solution (0.25 and 0.35 mol/L) increased seedling dry weight, shoot K+ concentration, solute carbohydrate and proline concentration but decreased shoot Na+ concentration in this treatment compared to other seeds pretreatment.