Seed priming improves the germination performance of cumin (Cuminum syminum L.) under temperature and water stress

Farmers typically practice ‘on-farm’ priming to improve germination performance under temperature or drought stress in semi-arid regions. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of osmopriming (−0.8 and −1.2 Mpa and control with no prime) on the vigor and germination performance of Cumin (Cuminum syminum L.) seeds at different temperature incubation under drought stress. Germination performance was evaluated by final germination percentage, germination rate and uniformity and radicle and plumule length. The results showed that osmopriming (−0.8 and −1.2 Mpa of PEG6000 solution) accelerate seed germination to the largest extent and improved the germination rate (T50) and the uniformity of germination (T10–90) under drought stress especially in 15 °C incubation compared to 10 °C and 25 °C. This treatment also improved stress tolerant by improving germination performance at 10, 15 and 25 °C and under water stress of −0.4 and −0.8 Mpa of PEG6000 solution.

► Seed pretreatment with PEG improve seed germination and seedling quality of cumin. ► Priming with PEG enhance drought tolerance of seedlings under low and high temperature. ► The temperature of 15 °C is near the optimum temperature of germination for cumin.