Effect of seed priming with Naci on salinity tolerance of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) at seedling stage

An experiment was conducted to improve the hot pepper seed performance under salinity stress conditions. The effects of priming with an optimized dose (1 mM) of sodium chloride (NaCl) were assessed for improving seedling vigour and salt stress tolerance in seedlings of the hot pepper. Seeds primed with NaCl solution (1 mM) were examined at different salinity levels [0, 3, 6 and 9 dS m-1] in relation to early growth stage. Priming with NaCl was effective in alleviating the adverse effects of salinity. Significant increase in germination percentage, germination index and germination speed, vigour index, plumule and radicle length, and dry weight of the seedlings as compared to control was recorded. On the other hand, mean germination time, time to reach 50% germination and fresh weight of seedlings were non-significant against control. In this experiment, it was concluded that seed priming with NaCl has been found to be better treatment as compared to non-primed seeds in case of hot pepper for improving the seedling vigour and seedling establishment under salt-stressed conditions

Hormonal priming alleviates salt stress in hot Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Germination and seedling establishment are critical stages in the life cycle of plants especially under stress conditions. Different methodologies have been adopted by plant physiologists in different crops to alleviate salt stress. Seed priming has proven beneficial in this regard in many important agricultural crops. The effect of seed priming with salicylic acid (SA) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in improving seed vigour and salt tolerance of hot pepper seedlings was evaluated. Concentrations over 1.0 mM of ASA or SA showed adverse effects on seed emergence. Seeds primed with SA (0.8 mM) and ASA (0.2 mM) were sown in medium at different salinity levels [0, 3, 6 and 9 dS m-1]. Both, SA and ASA treatments showed significantly better results over the control by improvement in time taken to 50% emergence, final emergence percentage, root and shoot length, seedling fresh and dry weight and seedling vigour. Overall, acetylsalicylic acid exhibited superiority over salicylic acid. Our results indicate that hormonal priming, especially with acetylsalicylic acid, can be a good treatment for hot pepper to enhance uniformity of emergence and seedling establishment under normal as well as saline conditions