Seed priming with bio-priming improves stand establishment, seed germination and salinity tolerance in canola cultivar (Hayola 401)

This research has been done to examine the effect of bio-priming on germination parameters related to seeds of canola cultivar (Hayola 401) under high salinity as factorial in seed laboratory of Shahed University based on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) in three replications. Experimental factors included bio-priming with bacteria strains inoculation at three levels: seed inoculation with water as a control, inoculation of seed with Bacillus subtilis bacteria, inoculation of seed with Macrophomina phaseolina fungus, and combination of Bacillus subtilis bacteria and Macrophomina phaseolina fungus.  Salinity treatment was applied at four levels (0, 2.5 dS.m-1, 5 dS.m-1, and 7.5 dS.m-1). Results of variance analysis showed that the effect of priming and high salinity was meaningful for all characteristics. The highest length measurement for the radicle and relative content of leaf water was obtained in salinity 2.5 dS.m-1. The maximum root and seedling length and length matrix of seedling vigor was related to fungus priming in bacteria and high salinity as 7.5 dS.m-1. Seeds primed with fungi under high salinity 2.5 dS.m-1 produced the highest mean dry weight of seedlings, germination percentage, and the mean germination. Also, the results included the highest mean germination period, germination speed factor, and germination rate for bacteria priming in the salinity control. Generally, according to the results, using Bacillus subtilis bacteria and Macrophomina phaseolina fungus could improve germination index and modify the effects of salinity.