Glycine betaine seed priming to induce salt stress tolerance in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.)

Salinity stress is an important environmental factor that limits plant growth and productivity in the world. The effect of seed priming with glycine betaine (GB) on the germination of four durum wheat varieties (Salim, Maâli, Monastir and Carioca) under salt stress conditions induced by sodium chloride (NaCl) were investigated. Three concentrations of GB (0, 50 and 100 mM) were tested under three levels of salt stress (0, 100 and 200 mM). The main results obtained showed significant effects of treatments and varieties on most studied traits. Salt stress had a negative effect on the germination and growth of wheat seedlings. However, seed priming with GB significantly improved seed germination under both no stress and salt stress conditions. Under severe salt stress conditions (200 mM NaCl), the highest values of germination percentage (65.5%), mean daily germination (0.825), vigor index (119.566), shoot length (0.568 cm) and root length (3.05 cm) were obtained using 50 mM GB. Consequently, the results of this study indicate that GB seed priming at 50 mM can to help durum wheat grow in salt-stress conditions.