Effect of NaCI priming on seed germination of four coriander cultivars {Coriandrum sativum)

Background: Optimum benefits of seed priming on four cultivars of coriander {Coriandrum sativum) having different origin (Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, and Syria) were studied under salinity stress. Method: Seeds of coriander were primed with NaCI at five levels (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g L1 ) for three different times (12, 24 and 36 h) at 25°C. Then primed (P) and non-primed (NP) seeds were irrigated with five different saline solutions consisting of 0 (control), 2, 4, 6 and 8 g L1 NaCI. Results: The results showed that the best germination percentage was obtained by applying NaCI at 4 g L1 for 12 h. Also, NaCI priming increased germination percentage compared with non-primed seeds. Overall increased NaCI level led to the reductions in the traits under study but these reductions were higher for non-primed compared to primed seeds. An Egyptian cultivar seemed to be the most sensitive. Conclusions: The present study revealed that under salinity seed priming with NaCI could be used as a method to improve seed performance in coriander. However, further studies are needed to investigate the effects of NaCI priming on later growth and development of this crop.