Effect of Seed Priming of Tomato with Salicylic Acid, Ascorbic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxideon Germination and Plantlet Growth in Saline Conditions

In order to improve the germination of tomato seeds in saline conditions, effect of seed priming by various concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) (0, 50, 100and150mg/L), ascorbic acid (ASA) (0, 50, 100and150mg/L) and hydrogen peroxide (HP) (0, 40, 80and120 µM) was investigated. Saline solution of 10 dS/m was applied to impose salinity stress. The results showed that germination and plantlet growth of tomato severely reduced by salinity. Seeds primed with 150 ppm ascorbic acid not only improved germination percent but also reduced germination time under saline conditions. Seedling growth from primed seeds with 150 ppm salicylic acid and 150 ppm ascorbic acid had significantly higher in length of root and shoot than other treated or non-primed seeds under saline conditions. Maximum seed vigor was observed at concentrations of 150 mg/L ascorbic acid and salicylic acid. In this experiment, high levels of hydrogen peroxide pretreatment causes damage to seed germination and plantlet growth. It is concluded that seeds priming has reduced the severity of the effect of salinity and the best alleviation of salinity was achieved by seed priming 150 mg/L ascorbic acid.