Effect of Priming with Gibberellic Acid (GA3) on Germination and Growth of Corn (Zea mays L.) under Saline Conditions

ABSTRACT: In order to study the effect of priming with Gibberellic acid (GA3) on germination and growth of corn under saline conditions, an experiment was conducted as factorial with completely randomized design with three replications. The factors of the experiment are different levels of Gibberellic acid concentration (0, 1.5, 2.5 and 5 mgL-1) and salinity (0, 5, 10, 12 and 15 dsm-1). The results showed that increasing salinity would decrease the components of germination including germination percentage, germination rate, root and shoot length and fresh and dry weight of seedling. Priming with GA3 had no effect on seed germination however in some concentrations GA3 increased shoot length, root length, dry weight, fresh weight and tissue water content.