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-deg rees-C, the total percentage of germination was also increased. Osmo-c onditioning promoted the rates of radicle extension, seedling emergenc e and expansion of the cotyledons and first leaf. However, no effect w as observed on the rate of growth of the second leaf or on the photosy nthetic activity of either the first or the second leaf. The promotive effects of osmoconditioning on germination were retained by seeds tha t were stored for 2 months after treatment and were observed in seeds of other cultivars too. It was concluded that although osmoconditionin g alleviated NaCl-induced stress during germination, emergence and ear ly growth of cucumber, the benefits of treatment did not persist beyon d the seedling stage.