The Effect of Salt Priming on the Performance of Differentially Matured Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) Seeds

The influence of salt priming (3% KNO 3 for 3 days and 1% NaCl for 2 days at 20˚C) on germination, seedling emergence and seedling dry weight of two Iranian cucumber cultivars of Basmenj and Varamin harvested at 25, 35 and 45 days after anthesis (DAA) was investigated in an unheated glasshouse. Seed germination and seedling emergence and growth were significantly affected by seed maturity and priming. Maximum advantage of priming seedling vigour was observed in seeds harvested at 25 DAA. Smaller effects of priming were also seen in the decreased mean germination and emergence times and increased seedling dry weight of seeds harvested at 35 and 45 DAA. Priming reduced percentage of seeds that germinated, but failed to emerge. In all cases, KNO3 priming was more effective than NaCl priming. Therefore, KNO3 priming can be used to improve cucumber seedling emergence and establishment, particularly in early spring sowings at low temperatures.