Salicylic acid priming in corn (Zea mays L. var. Sc.704) Reinforces NaCl tolerance at germination and the seedling growth stage

In order to improve the germination of corn seeds in saline conditions, effect of seed priming by various concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) (0, 1, 2 and 3 mM), was investigated. Saline solution of (0, 1, 2 and 3% Nacl) was applied to impose salinity stress. In present study, the effects of four salicylic acid (SA) concentrations on germination and seedling growth of corn were evaluated at the physiological laboratory of Agriculture Research Station of Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran, during 2013. Experimental design was factorial based on randomized complete design in three replications. The reveled that germination and plantlet growth of corn severely reduced by salinity. SA priming had a beneficial effect on germination percent, germination rate and germination index, which was related to imbibitions rather than reserve mobilization, since the dry biomass of cotyledons was unchanged by salt stress and SA priming. Results illustrated that SA priming with induced salinity stress were significant effect on final germination percent, germination rate and germination index, seed vigor index, seedling fresh weight, radical traits. Maximum final germination percent, germination rate and germination index were relating to 1, 2 mM SA treatments’ under non salinity stress. With considering the results, highest seed vigor index was belonged to 1, 2 mM SA treatments’ under 1% salinity condition. In this experiment, maximum seedling fresh weight was relating to 2 mM SA treatment fewer than 2% salinity condition. In recent research, two factors of SA treatments and salinity concentrations were not significant interaction on radical fresh weight trait. Our results was indicated that hormonal priming, especially with 2 mM salicylic acid, can be a good treatment for Corn (Zea mays L. var. Sc.704) to enhance uniformity of emergence and seedling establishment under normal as well as saline conditions and it concluded that seeds priming had reduced the severity of the effect of salinity.