Improvement of Salt Tolerance by Seed Priming : Improving of Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Maize by Seed Priming Under Salt Stress Conditions, Ethiopia

Salinity is considered as a major abiotic stress affecting germination, seedling growth and crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. Many techniques are used to improve tolerance to salinity. Priming is believed to be an effective technique that increases germination, plant growth and improve yield of Salinity is considered as a major abiotic stress affecting germination, seedling growth and crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. Many techniques are used to improve tolerance to salinity. Priming is believed to be an effective technique that increases germination, plant growth and improve yield of several vegetables and crops under saline soil condition. This study was aimed to assess the effect of seed priming on germination and seedling growth of maize (Zea mays L.) exposed to five salinity levels. Primed and unprimed seeds were sown in Petri dishes and pots and irrigated with saline solutions. Priming seeds with NaCl improved germination and growth at both laboratory and field conditions. Further, this study needs to be continued if performance of mature maize plants could also be improved and yield increased by sowing primed seeds in saline soils.