University of Isfahan Journal of Plant Biological Sciences 3041-9603 13 3 2021 11 22 The effect of priming with sodium hydrosulfide and salicylic acid on early stages of growth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) under salt stress The effect of priming with sodium hydrosulfide and salicylic acid on early stages of growth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) under salt stress 43 64 26806 10.22108/ijpb.2022.131539.1270 FA Mahtab Zeinivand Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Lorestan University, Khoramabbad, Iran Maryam Nasr Esfahani Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Lorestan University, Khoramabbad, Iran Journal Article 2021 12 09 Gaseous molecules hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and salicylic acid (SA) enhance plant acclimation to environmental stresses such as salt stress. In the current study, the effects of priming of alfalfa seeds with sodium hydrosulfide<strong> </strong>(NaHS) (0.75 mM) as H₂S-donor or SA (0.75 mM) on the improvement of germination indicators and the growth of seedlings under salt stress (0, 25, 50 and 100 mM) and also the decline of oxidative damages caused by salt stress (0 and 50 mM) were evaluated. The results showed that under unprimed conditions, salt stress had negative effects on different indicators of alfalfa seed germination and also on the growth of alfalfa seedlings. In addition, under unprimed conditions, the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) significantly increased under salt stress. NaHS-priming and SA-priming showed positive effects on germination indicators and root length significantly increased in the seedlings obtained from NaHS- or SA-primed seeds. NaHS-priming and SA-priming decreased the accumulation of MDA and H₂O₂under salt stress conditions showing the effect of priming treatments in decreasing oxidative stress. In addition, in response to salt stress, NaHS-priming and SA-priming significantly increased the levels of total sugars (especially 1 and 3 days after germination), when compared with their levels under unprimed conditions. Therefore, NaHS-priming and SA-priming treatments enhance plant responses in the first days after germination against salinity by reducing oxidative damages through activation of the antioxidant defense systems. Gaseous molecules hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and salicylic acid (SA) enhance plant acclimation to environmental stresses such as salt stress. In the current study, the effects of priming of alfalfa seeds with sodium hydrosulfide<strong> </strong>(NaHS) (0.75 mM) as H₂S-donor or SA (0.75 mM) on the improvement of germination indicators and the growth of seedlings under salt stress (0, 25, 50 and 100 mM) and also the decline of oxidative damages caused by salt stress (0 and 50 mM) were evaluated. The results showed that under unprimed conditions, salt stress had negative effects on different indicators of alfalfa seed germination and also on the growth of alfalfa seedlings. In addition, under unprimed conditions, the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) significantly increased under salt stress. NaHS-priming and SA-priming showed positive effects on germination indicators and root length significantly increased in the seedlings obtained from NaHS- or SA-primed seeds. NaHS-priming and SA-priming decreased the accumulation of MDA and H₂O₂under salt stress conditions showing the effect of priming treatments in decreasing oxidative stress. In addition, in response to salt stress, NaHS-priming and SA-priming significantly increased the levels of total sugars (especially 1 and 3 days after germination), when compared with their levels under unprimed conditions. Therefore, NaHS-priming and SA-priming treatments enhance plant responses in the first days after germination against salinity by reducing oxidative damages through activation of the antioxidant defense systems. https://ijpb.ui.ac.ir/article_26806_8b742e0a5b52cf90b4c1652c39bc9b57.pdf