Seed germination and growth responses of Isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk) to chitosan and salinity

In this paper, in order to study the chitosan and salinity effects on germination and vegetative growth in Isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk), two pot experiments were conducted. In first experiment, the seeds were soaked in different concentrations (0, 0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.5%) of chitosan. Chitosan treatments increased germination percentage, germination rate, length and weight of shoot and root. Plants pretreated with 0.2% chitosan showed highest germination percentage and growth in contrast to other plants. In the second experiment, the seeds were subjected to four levels of salinity (0, 4, 8 and 12 dS/m) and two concentration of chitosan (0, 0.2%). Increase of salinity level decreased germination percentage, germination rate, length and weight of shoot and root. However, length of shoot, length and weight of root were increased in plants pretreated with chitosan under salt stress. Therefore, chitosan ameliorated the adverse effects and partially improved plant tolerance to salinity stress conditions.