Effect of “Halo-priming” on Germination of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Osmotic Stress

Drought stress and salt stress are two major stresses that significantly affect germination and plant growth. Seed priming is a beneficial agro-technology that results in the rapid and uniform emergence of seeds and high vigour leading to better planting and therefore better stand yield. The current study aimed is to evaluate the impact of halopriming on germination of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under osmotic stress.

In 2018, laboratory experiment was conducted to study the effect of halopriming on osmotic stress tolerance potential during germination and growth in five chickpea genotypes (Cicer arietinum L.). “Halopriming” is a seed initiation technique in various salt solutions, the concentrations used are: 0, 1 and 1.8g.L_-1 NaCl.

The experience revealed that the application of the salinity stress induced a decrease in the germination parameters [germination percentage (GP), mean germination time (MGT) and T50)]. Seeds of genotype V41 treated with halopriming (Hp₁ and Hp₂) and subjected to S2 significantly improved germination percentage (GP = 97%) compared to unstressed seeds. There was also an improvement in MGT (0.43 d) and T50 (0.62 d) for Hp₂ under S₁.