Effect of tea leaf waste on germination characteristics and enzyme activities of hydro primed bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seeds, under salinity treatment

In order to evaluate the effect of tea waste extracts (non-consumable human remains of tea factories) and salinity induced by Caspian sea water on germination and enzymatic activity of bean, an experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with four replications. The tea waste extracts at 5 levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of stock) with EC (0.45, 4.56, 9.12, 13.78 and 18.16 ds/m, respectively) used as the first factor and the salinity stress at 5 levels of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent of the Caspian sea water were used as the second factor. The results showed that the effect of treatments on all of variables were significant. In addition, the interaction of salinity stress with tea leaf waste had significant differences in average and percent germination at 5% level and in root length, allometric index, percentage of seedling water and seed vigor, while, there was no significant differences in shoot length. With increasing levels of salt stress and increasing the amount of tea waste extract, average and percent germination, seed vigor, activity of germination enzymes were decreased (treatment of 100% Caspian Sea water and 20% tea waste extract), while malondialdehyde increased. Control treatment (distilled water without extracts of tea waste) with the effect of hydro-priming had the highest germination and enzymatic activity and the lowest levels of malondialdehyde. In general, salt stress and allelopathic effect of tea waste extracts on germination and its related characteristics in seeds of bean were negatively affected, however, seed hydro-priming improved germination and related characteristics.