the effect of hydropriming on germination characteristics and seedling growth of nitraria schoberi seeds under salinity stress

Salinity is one the major abiotic stresses that affect seed germination and establishment of plants in arid and semiarid regions. in order to investigate the effect of seed hydropriming on seed germination and seedling growth of nitraria schoberi under salinity stress, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized factorial design with three replications. the treatments included hydropriming at four levels (0, 2, 4, and 8 days) and salinity at five levels (0, 100, 200, 400, and 600 mm). the results showed that at lower levels of hydropriming, the percentage of germination and other germination components were minimal. the highest percentage of germination (50%) and rate germination, as well as seed vigor index, were obtained in the 8-day hydropriming treatment and 100 mm salinity level. furthermore, with an increase in hydropriming duration, the root length and fresh and dry weight of the seedlings increased, indicating better establishment of the seedlings in the 8-day hydropriming treatment. on the other hand, based on the results, the seeds of this plant were sensitive to high salinity levels (600 mm) during the germination stage, and despite the hydropriming treatment, germination did not occur. it concluded that, the best treatment for germination and seedling growth of n. schoberi was the 8-day hydropriming treatment, particularly under mild salinity stress (100 mm nacl), which improved the germination components.