Effect of Chitosan Seed Priming on Germination, Ion Relations and Biochemical Characteristics of Chickpea Under Salinity Stress

In order to study the effects of priming (control (non-primed), distilled water, 0.1% chitosan and 0.2% chitosan) on seed germination and growth of chickpea seedling, under salinity stress (0, 4, 6 and 8 dS/m) an experiment was conducted in controlled-environment conditions. Results showed salinity stress reduced germination percentage and rate, vigor index, length and dry weights of shoots and roots, K concentration and K/Na ratio, whereas increased Na concentration, proline, total carbohydrate and malondialdehyde content. Seed priming with chitosan increased germination percentage and rate compared to other priming treatments.Vigor index, shoot length, root length and dry weights of shoots were higher in chitosan primed seed compared to control under salinity stress 6 dS/m. The highest K concentration was observed in seed primed with 0.2% chitosan. Also, with the increasing salinity, chitosan decreased Na concentration and malondialdehyde and increased K/Na ratio, proline and total carbohydrate content. Thus, it suggests that main effect priming the chickpea seeds with chitosan was on seedling growth and it don’t effect on increasing germination percentage.