Effects of salicylic acid (SA) on germination and physiological characteristcs of melon seed

Melon seed (cv. Huanghemi) was treated with different concentration of salicylic acid (SA), and germination quality and some physiological characteristics were studied in this paper. The results showed that SA at lower concentration significantly promoted germination and growth of seed, some parameters, such as germination exponent, germination energy, germination rate,root and ratio shoot and biomass, were increased, The concentration at 0.5mmol/L SA showed the best. However, when the concentration of SA went beyond 0.5mmol/L, germination and growth of seed were decreased. Contents of protein and proline were increased at lower concentration; however, decreased at higher concentration of SA in germination seeds.