Cell Membrane Stability (CMS): A Simple Technique to Check Salt Stress Alleviation Through Seed Priming with GA3 in Canola

Abstract

Cell membrane stability (CMS) technique was used to assess whether salt tolerance could be improved in canola (Brassica napus L.) by soaking the seeds for 10 h in distilled water (Control), 100, 150 and 200 mg l−1 GA3. The electrical conductivity (EC) values of the NaCl solution were 0 (control), 4.7, 9.4 and 14.1 dS m−1 NaCl. Seed priming increased the fi nal germination percentage and the germination rate (1/t50, where t50 is the time to 50% of germination) under saline condition. Priming also alleviated the adverse effect of salt stress on canola in terms of fresh and dry weights of plants, roots and shoots. Similarly leaf area, leaf water contents (RWC) and chlorophyll contents (SPAD value) were signifi cantly higher in plants raised from seeds primed with GA3 as compared with those raised from seeds treated with distilled water. All pre-sowing seed treatments decreased electrolyte leakage of steep water as compared to that of non-primed seeds even after 24 h of soaking. Similarly plants raised from seeds primed with GA3, showed signifi cantly lower cellular injury than seeds treated with distilled water.