Salt-Stressed Coriander (<i>Coriandrum sativum</i> L.) Responses to Potassium Silicate, Humic Acid and Gamma Irradiation Pretreatments

Abstract

The application of biostimulants has great potential in preserving plants against abiotic or biotic stresses and is integrated into promoting tolerance and acclimating of coriander against salinity stress. Deciphering the morphological, physiological and molecular responses underpinning the ameliorative aspects of ecofriendly biostimulants is indispensable to link and overlap the ameliorative responses of seed priming. Hereby, the ameliorative responses of seed priming against salinity stress using potassium silicate, humic acid, and gamma irradiation were evaluated. Salinity stress generally diminishes vegetation, productivity, and metabolic activities. However, abscisic acid (ABA) levels and soluble sugars were elevated. Pretreatments with potassium silicate or humic acid, followed by gamma rays, alleviated and promoted growth parameters, yield components, and vital metabolic processes in salinity-stressed coriander. This promotion was concurrent with an increase in growth promotors, chlorophyll a/b, carbohydrates, antioxidants (compounds and enzymes), and upregulation of RuBisCO large subunit protein expression. Collectively, potassium silicate and humic acid were the best at alleviating the adverse effects of saline conditions. Triggered pretreatments might be engaged in maintaining metabolic activities toward deleterious salinity impacts. Thus, it was suggested that seed priming by potassium silicate and humic acid is an effective regime benefitting salinized along with nonsalinized plants that sustain coriander productivity.

Keywords

• <i>Coriandrum sativum</i>
• salinity
• seed priming
• biostimulators
• morphological characteristics
• metabolic responses