Abstract
The effects of halopriming (10, 25 or 50 mM NaCI and CaCI2.2H20) were investigated in wheat (Triticum aestivum
cv. Auqab-2000) under normal (4 dS m') and saline (15 dS rn') conditions. Most of priming agents were not
effective in improving germination and seedling vigour of wheat under saline conditions. Final germination count
was unaffected by all priming tools while seeds subjected to halopriming with 25 and 50 mM CaCI2.2H20
significantly reduced the germination time under both normal and saline conditions. Seeds subjected to
halopriming with 50 mM CaCI2.2H20 had significantly higher shoot length, fresh and dry weight of seedlings than
those treated with other salts or control. During emergence test, emergence percentage, mean emergence time
(MET) and dry weight of seedlings were un-affected by all the priming treatments, however, root and shoot length
and shoot fresh weight were significantly increased by 50 mM CaCI2.2H20 under both normal and saline
conditions. All pre-sowing seed treatments caused a decrease in electrolyte leakage as compared to that in
untreated seeds even after 12 hours of soaking period. Halopriming with 50 mM CaCI2.2H20 induced maximum
decrease in electrolyte leakage while an increase in electrolyte leakage was observed by treating seeds with
increasing concentration of NaCI salt. It is concluded that priming of seed with 50 mM CaCI2.2H20 induces
physiological changes in the seed against salt stress conditions and can be used to induce salinity tolerance in
wheat.
