Cold stratification, but not stratification in salinity, enhances seedling growth of wheat under salt treatment

Abstract

Cold stratification was reported to release seed dormancy and enhance plant tolerance to salt stress. Experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that cold stratification and cold stratification in salinity could enhance seedling growth of wheat under salt treatment. The results clearly demonstrated that cold stratification significantly improved emergence and shoot length of wheat seedlings under salt stress as compared to non-soaked control and distilled water soaked pre-treatment. However, cold stratification in salinity did not have a positive effect. Cold stratification, but not stratification in salinity, seems to be an effective technology for improving wheat growth in saline soil.

Key words: Cold stratification, salt stress, seedling emergence, wheat.