Enhancement of root system architecture, seedling growth, and germination in lentil under salinity stress by seed priming with silicon and salicylic acid

Abstract

To deal with increasing salinization, plants show an array of responses such as root system architecture remodelling, thereby enhancing stress tolerance. Although various chemical, molecular and genetic techniques such that generally expensive and difficult applications are used to enhance stress tolerance, out of them, seed priming with suitable substrates is an easy-applicable and cost-effective treatment. The experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of salicylic acid (SA), silicon (Si), and sodium chloride (NaCl) priming on lentil seed germination parameters, seedling development, and root system architecture. In 2022, the experiment was carried out in the Field Crops Department laboratory at Siirt University in Turkey. Petri and pot investigations were part of the two stages of the experiment. Three concentrations of NaCl and priming treatments were utilized. Germination characteristics were impeded by rising saline levels. But seed priming, which boosted uniformity of germination by 50% as compared to unprimed seeds under saline stress, enhanced germination characteristics. A pot experiment revealed that the dry matter accumulation in roots was reduced by 24.6% due to salt stress. Si priming increased number of lateral roots by 32.6% compared to control seeds, whereas salt stress lowered it by 22.8%. The total length of lateral roots (TLLR) and mean length of lateral roots (MLLR) were inhibited by salinity stress by 75% and 63, respectively. Total root area was reduced by salinity stress by almost 70%, although seed priming increased it by as much as 29.3%. The SA and Si priming treatments improved germination stage and induced seedling growth by reducing salinity stress via more effective shoot development and root system architecture. In conclusion, seed priming with SA and Si is an affordable and sustainable method for reducing salt stress in lentil farming.