THE EFFECTS OF OSMOCONDITIONING ON THE GERMINATION, EMERGENCE AND EARLY PLANT-GROWTH OF CUCUMBER UNDER SALINE CONDITIONS

Osmoconditioning improved the rate of germination of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cultivar 'Telegraph') seeds at 25-degrees-C and 15-degrees-C in water and NaCl solutions of upto 200 mM (16.5 dS m-1). At 15-degrees-C, the total percentage of germination was also increased. Osmo-conditioning promoted the rates of radicle extension, seedling emergence and expansion of the cotyledons and first leaf. However, no effect was observed on the rate of growth of the second leaf or on the photosynthetic activity of either the first or the second leaf. The promotive effects of osmoconditioning on germination were retained by seeds that were stored for 2 months after treatment and were observed in seeds of other cultivars too. It was concluded that although osmoconditioning alleviated NaCl-induced stress during germination, emergence and early growth of cucumber, the benefits of treatment did not persist beyond the seedling stage.