Alleviating Salinity Stress During Seed Germinating by Priming Techniques : A Review
Seed germination and seedling growth are the two critical stages for crop establishment. These stages are the most sensitive to abiotic stresses, which decreases the germination percentage and increases germination time. Due to such abiotic stress, the germination of crop fails in adverse conditions. Salinity is one of the major abiotic stress, which adversely affects almost every aspect of the plant’s physiology, biochemistry and decreases yield. Salinity is the most severe threat to agriculture and major environmental factors that limit crop growth and productivity. Various techniques have been shown to improve emergence and stand establishment under salt stress. One of the most frequently utilized technique is seed priming. The seed priming process deals with the prior exposure of abiotic stress, making a seed more resistant to future exposure. Seed priming stimulates pre-germination metabolic activities and enhances radicle protrusion. It enhances the antioxidant defense system and the repair of membranes. The process of seed priming and the mechanism of the effect of salinity on seed germination have been discussed. The physiological, biochemical, and molecular changes induced by priming leading to seed enhancement have also been covered.