Evaluation of emergence traits of three population of Thyme species (Thymus lancifolius) by different priming technique in greenhouse condition

The uniformity and emergence percentage of seeds have an importance role on the yield and quality of crops in the field. The aim of this research was to evaluate the seeds emergence and seedlings of three populations of the lanceleaf thyme species (Thymus lancifolius Celak) by Priming methods. In order to evaluating seed emergence and seedling vigor of three populations of (Thymus lancifolius Celak), a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications was conducted in Research Institute of Forests and rangelands, Tehran, Iran in 2015-2016. The factors A was including: three populations of (Thymus lancifolius Celak) and factor B were seven treatments as follows: osmopriming (PEG 0.3 and 0.6Mpa), hormonal priming (250 and 500 ppm of Gibberellic acid), Matrix priming (Vermicolit 1%) hydropriming (distilled water) and control. The emergence characteristics including of seed emergence percentage and speed of emergence, root and shoot length, vigor index, seedling fresh and dry weight were measured. The mean comparison three populations showed that all emergence traits of population 13490-Arak were more than the other two populations. The maximum emergence percentage as (81.19) obtained using vermiculite treatment. using vermiculite, seedling Fresh weight, (578.8), dry Weight, (47.78), dry matter percentage (7.82%) were more than other treatments. High speed of emergence observed as (5.82 seeds per day) with effect of Gibberellic acid 250 ppm. Regarding to result of this research work, it was proved that two Priming technique as Matrix priming (Vermiculite) and Hormonal priming (Gibberellic acid) were effective method compare with other method. Therefore these two methods are recommending for domestication and optimum establishment of medicinal plant of (Thymus lancifolius Celak).