Influence of osmo and hydropriming on seed germination and seedling growth in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars under different moisture and temperature conditions

Insufficient seedling stand establishment is one of the major obstacles to achievement of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) potential yield. In the present study, seeds of eleven wheat cultivars differing in drought resistance were subjected to hydropriming with distilled water and osmopriming with PEG 6000 for 12 h. Speed of emergence, vigor index and seedling dry weight were studied under two temperature conditions at 11 and 18 degrees C in plant growth incubators. Water stress started 15 Days After Sowing (DAS). As compared with osmopriming, hydropriming clearly improved speed of emergence, vigor index and seedling dry weight. The results were more evident at 11 degrees C indicating that hydropriming is more efficient for cold rather than temperate area. At both temperatures, PEG treatment severely diminished above mentioned traits. At 11 degrees C, drought resistant cultivars i.e., Sardari, Agosta-Sefid, Azar 2 and Sabalan had higher seedlings dry weight as compared with susceptible ones. Therefore, it is proposed that measurement of seedling dry weight may be a proper approach for early screening of wheat drought resistant genotypes.