EFFECT OF PRIMING ON GERMINATION AND INITIAL GROWTH OF MELON PLANTS UNDER SALT STRESS

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different osmotic agents and priming durations on the germination and initial growth of melon in salinity. The osmotic agents were NaCl and CaCl 2 and durations 2 and 4 days. First a response curve of germination to salinity was made. After priming the seeds were placed to germinate in a saline medium (14 dS m -1 ). The germination percentage was determined. The two treatments with the best results (NaCl and CaCl 2 2 days in both salts) were selected to evaluate the initial growth of the plants in salinity. It was sown in pots, irrigated with nutrient solution and 60 mM NaCl. The germination was reduced to 50% with 14 dS m -1 and inhibited with 22 dS m -1 . The best germination was achieved with NaCl and CaCl 2 2 days with 99 and 94% respectively. Both treatments showed an increase in growth parameters and chlorophyll content.