Ascorbic acid seed priming improves germination and initial growth of guava under salt stress
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252026v3915300rcKeywords:
Psidium guajava L.. Salinity. Seed physiological quality. Non-enzymatic compound.Abstract
Seed priming with physiological regulators increases crop tolerance to salt stress. However, the use of non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid (AsA), in fruit species remains under-researched, particularly during the germination and initial growth stages the most sensitive periods to salinity. This study aimed to evaluate seed priming with ascorbic acid as a mitigator of salt stress in the germination and initial growth of 'Paluma' guava. The experiment followed a completely randomized design in a 5 x 5 factorial arrangement, consisting of five levels of water electrical conductivity (ECw: 0.3, 1.3, 2.3, 3.3, and 4.3 dS m-1) and five ascorbic acid concentrations (0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 mM L-1). Salinity above 1.0 dS m-1 impairs the germination and initial growth of 'Paluma' guava. Seed priming with 1.5 mM L-1 AsA resulted in the highest germination (91.1%) under an ECw of 0.81 dS m-1, maintaining germination above 80% up to an ECw of 2.69 dS m-1. Seedling growth and vigor were stimulated by priming under low-salinity conditions. AsA represents a viable alternative to mitigate the impact of salt stress under semi-arid conditions.
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