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EFFECT OF SEED PRIMING ON GROWTH OF BARLEY (HORDEUM VULGARE) BY USING BRACKISH WATER IN SALT AFFECTED SOILS

M.A. NAEEM AND S. MUHAMMAD

Abstract: Impact of different pre-sowing seed treatments on growth of barley by using brackish water for irrigation in different combinations of CaSO₄ (10 mM), CaSO₄ (30 mM), Gibberellic Acid (20 ppm), Gibberellic Acid (60 ppm) and hydro priming for 12 h were investigated in pot experiment. Artificially prepared brackish water was used for irrigation throughout the crop growth period. Maximum seed germination was observed in treatment with GA₃ (20 ppm followed by CaSO₄ (10 mM) while the minimum in farmer practice treatment (control). Similar trend was found in the straw yield. Highest Na⁺ concentration was observed in leaves of plants in pre-sowing seed treatment with GA₃ (20 ppm) with a median content of 50.25 ppm while minimum in hydro priming for 12 h. Similar trend was found in the K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ analyzed at the booting stage. Highest Cl- concentration was observed in plant with median content of 150.03 ppm, while minimum in CaSO₄ (10 mM) in the leaf of barley at booting stage with a median content of 125.03 ppm respectively. The maximum Na⁺: K⁺ ratio in the plant leaf was observed in control (farmer practice) with a median content of 0.280 and lowest in CaSO₄ (10 mM) with a median content of 0.226. The Ca²⁺: Mg²⁺ ratios were observed maximum almost in all the primed treatments than farmer practice (control).
 

Department of Soil Science & SWC, University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.