Effect of halopriming on germination and seedling growth of single cross 704 corn seeds under salinity stress condition

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of corn seed priming on germination and physiological characteristics of corn seedling (SC 704) in two separate experiments, each in a factorial experiment with completely randomized design with four replications. In both experiments, the first factor was the priming solution of Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride and Potassium Ntrate at 2% concentration and the second factor was the salinity treatment (0, 40 and 80 mM Sodium Chloride). The results showed that salt stress decreased germination percentage and seedling growth, α-amylase activity and cell membrane stability of maize seeds in primed and non- primed seeds, whereas priming with Potassium Nitrate solution and Sodium Chloride had a positive effect on germination percentage, seedling length, antioxidants enzymes activity, Gibberellic acid and Auxin concentration and potassium concentration of maize seedling in stress conditions. At 80 mM Sodium Chloride level, the maximum seedling length was observed in seeds treated with Potassium Nitrate (13 cm). Under severe salinity conditions, with increasing activity of antioxidant enzymes, the lowest malondialdehyde concentration was observed in seeds treated with Potassium Nitrate (0.02 nmol / g fw). Also, priming of maize seed with Potassium Nitrate solution prevented the reduction of gibberellic acid and auxin concentration under salinity stress. In conclusion, seeds which are treated with Potassium Nitrate had the highest corn seedling growth under salinity stress.