Priming with Mango Peels Nanoparticles Enhances Seed Germination of Maize (Zea mays L.) under Salt Stress

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nano-priming application on seed germination of maize under salt stress. Zea mays L. seeds were primed in saline water (6.5dsm^-1) and mango peels nanoparticles (nMPs) at concentration of 1000mg/L. Nano-primed and non-primed seeds were germinated in petri dishes with two round filter papers moistened with 5 ml distilled water and with 10 ml solutions of 5 salinity levels (0, 2.5, 6.5, 9.5 and 12.5 dSm^−1). Increasing salinity levels significantly diminished radicle and plumule length, seedling fresh- dry weights, germination percentage and vigor index. Priming seeds in nMPs and saline water significantly improved germination percentage, vigor index, radicle, plumule length and total fresh weight. Such findings may serve as in vitro selection criteria for ameliorating salt stress in maize plants.