Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Former MSc. Student, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
3
Associate Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
Abstract
Cadmium is one of the heavy metals and the important environmental pollutants that inhibits seed germination and plant growth and development. So, in these conditions, the use of methods for stimulation of seed germination is necessary. In this research, the effects of hydropriming on germination and growth indice of borage seedlings under cadmium stress were investigated in a factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili in 2015. The Experimental treatments were cadmium stress with four levels (S1, S2, S3 and S4; zero (control), 10, 50 and 100 mg.lit-1 ) and hydropriming with four levels (12, 24 and 48 hours). The results showed that the percentage and rate of germination, length and seedling dry weight, vigor indice and catalase and peroxidase enzymes activity were decreased with increasing stress level. In non stress condition, the percentage and rate of seed germination and seedlings dry weight of seedling derive from primed seeds were significantly higher than those of control seeds. Hydropriming significantly increased the seed germination and seedling growth indices of borage under cadmium stress conditions. 48 hours hydropriming under cadmium stress conditions, caused significant and 2-fold increase in the germination rate, 4.5-fold in the seedling weight index, 3.5 and 2.5-fold in the activity of catalase and peroxidase enzymes, respectively, as compared to control. In total,. 48 hours hydropriming was the most positive effects on seed germination and growth of borage seedling.
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