Abstract:
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.)
is one the most appropriate choice for
investing in dry and semi dry areas. In order
to analyse influence of drought stress on
germination and seedling growth of two
masses of cumin, an experiment was
conducted in seed technology laboratory of
Faculty of Agriculture of Islamic Azad
University of Isfahan, in 2016. In this
experiment, polyethylene glycol (PEG
6000) at six levels (0, -0.144, -0.18, -0.216
and -0.288 MP) and NaCl at six levels (0, 4,
5, 6, 7, and 8 ds/m) and distilled water as
control were applied to investigate the
influence of dryness and salinity stresses on
seed germination and seedling growth of
two cultivars of cumin plant masses
gathered from Mashhad-e-Ardahal and
Kerman, then fulfilled in two separate
factorial trials, on the basis of randomized
design with four replications. Cultivar had
significant influence on germination
percentage, germination uniformity, radicle
length, plumule length, fresh radicle weight,
dry radicle weight, fresh and dry plumule
weight. Drought stress impact on all
treatments, except germination uniformity,
fresh radicle weight and dry radicle weight
was meaningful, but, just radicle length,
plumule length, fresh plumule weight and
dry plumule weight significantly affected by
interaction between cultivar and drought
stress. The rate of germination, germination
percentage, as well as seedling growth and
establishment were considerably lowered
with the rise of stress levels using PEG.
Control treatment had obtained the highest
germination percentage, mean time of
germination, radicle and plumule length,
fresh plumule weight and seed stamina
index. Taking all traits into account, this
experiment found that Mashhad-e-Ardahal
was most tolerant hybrid to water stress
conditions.