Abstract:

This work was carried out to test the effect of seaweed treatment on germination and seedling emergence in two onion seed lots. Distilled water containing 5% of seaweed was applied through solid matrix priming at a ratio of 2:1:3 Seed: vermiculite: seaweed extract (w: w: w) over two days at 15º C in the dark. Seeds of seaweed, distilled water treated and dry control were tested at 10 and 15 % PEG (drought), 100 and 150 mM NaCl (salt), and 30 and 35ºC (temperature) stresses, respectively. Seedling emergence, seedling height, fresh weight and dry weight were tested at 30ºC, 10% PEG and 100 mM NaCl. Seaweed treatment enhanced germination and seedling emergence compared not only to the dry control, but also to the distilled water treatment. The difference in germination was up to 18% compared with the dry control and 6% compared with the distilled water treatment. Moreover, seedling height was increased by the seaweed treatment. Results showed that seaweed extract priming may have a potential to enhance the resistance of onion seeds under abiotic stress conditions.

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