Osmopriming of Tomato Genotypes with Polyethylene Glycol 6000 Induces Tolerance to Salinity Stress

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the five tomato genotypes under salt stress using osmopriming with Poly ethylene glycol (PEG 6000) as priming media on plant height and dry matter of five tomato genotypes viz., Kashi Amrit, Kashi Anupam, Kashi Hemant, Kashi Sarad, and Kashi Vishesh. Seeds were primed with four levels of PEG 6000 viz.-0.5, -1.0, -1.5 and-2.0 MPa, along with one hydropriming for 48 hours at 25°C. Dry tomato seeds considered as a control (non-primed). Treated seeds of all varieties were grown in pots with soils of different salt concentration i.e., on 4, 8 and 12 dSm ’along with control. Among genotypes Kashi Hemant primed with-5.0 Mpa was identified as salt tolerance among five tomato genotypes as it showed maximum plant height (55, 46 and 43 cm) and dry matter (8.0, 6.5 and 6.0 g) under both control and salt stress conditions of 4, 8, 12 dSm ’. Results of variance analysis made clear that different osmotic potential and priming duration had significant effect on plant height and dry matter. The results revealed that Kashi Hemant performed better than other genotypes at high salt concentration and has immense potential for cultivation in the salinity areas. It was also observed that generally primed seeds exhibited better stress tolerance than non-primed seeds.