Seed Hydropriming Effect on Triticum durum and Hordeum vulgare Germination, Seedling Growth and Resistance to Fusarium culmorum

This study aimed to determine the effect of seed hydropriming on germination and seedling growth of Triticum durum (durum wheat: cultivar Karim) and Hordeum vulgare (barley: cultivar Souihli), along with its effect on T. durum resistance to Fusarium culmorum seed infection. Seeds of Karim and Souihli were hydroprimed in distilled water at various time intervals till 9.5 h at 25 and 35°C in the dark. The results showed that the pace of water uptake and seedling growth depends on the soaking time and temperature; however the germination percentage depends only on the soaking time. Karim and Souihli seeds absorbed water very fast for up to 30 min with a higher rate at 35°C in comparison to 25°C. Thereafter, a little change was observed in the speed of water uptake for up to 9.5, with a little higher rate at 35°C. The speed of emergence of radicle, coleoptile and side roots and the seedling fresh weight were enhanced in comparison to the control at 5.5-6.5 h and at 3.5 h of seed hydration in Karim and Souihli, respectively. Hydropriming at 25°C gives better seedling fresh weight in both cereals in comparison to 35°C. The water pre-treatment did not affect the level of seed contamination by saprophytic fungi during germination. The hydroprimed Karim seeds inoculated with F. culmorum showed an increase in seedling growth and a reduction in the percentage of infection in comparison to non-hydroprimed seeds. This difference can be attributed in part to the enhanced germination rate and seedling vigour of the hydroprimed seeds.