Seed priming with salicylic acid improves germination and seedling growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under PEG-6000 induced water stress

Seed germination and seedling establishment are most vital stages in plant growth cycle, playing major role in determining the final density of plants. In drought prone areas, poor seed germination and seedling emergence are the major problems. Seed priming is known to improve germination and seedling emergence under different environmental stresses. Salicylic acid (SA) also plays a major role in regulation of many physiological processes e.g. growth, development, ion absorption and germination of plants.