In the present study, various seed treatments were used to improve the seed germination in tomato (Punjab Ratta and Roma). The salinity affects seed germination and seedling vigour parameters adversely. Seeds were treated with different concentrations of salicylic acid (0.5 and 1mM) and hydrogen peroxide (20 and 50mM) at 25° C. After 14 days of germination, seedlings were collected and then various physiological and biochemical estimations were done. Seed treatment with 1mM Salicylic acid and 50mM hydrogen peroxide were more effective than SA 0.5mM and H O 20mM. Biochemical parameters i.e. total soluble sugars and proteins increased by all the seed treatments. Peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde content increased following all the seed treatments. Thus, SA(0.5mM and 1mM) and H2 O2 (20mM and 50mM) helped to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes.
Tomato, Salinity stress, Salicylic acid, Hydrogen peroxide