Enhancing Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Productivity and Seed Quality through Silicon-Based Seed Priming under Salt-Stressed Conditions

Abstract

Salinity constrains the development and yield of valuable aromatic and medicinal plants, including fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Silicon (Si) is a promising strategy for managing salt stress. However, knowledge related to the effects of Si-seed priming on growth and yield of salt-stressed fenugreek under natural conditions are scarce. Hence, the present work aimed to investigate whether Si-seed priming (0–60 mM CaSiO3) could help to improve the performance of fenugreek when subjected to salt stress (100 and 150 mM NaCl). Findings show that salt stress significantly reduced germination related parameters and triggered an oxidative stress in fenugreek seedlings. However, Si priming was found to be effective in attenuating oxidative stress and enhancing germination parameters under salt stress. Indeed, the most pronounced effect was observed in primed seed with 20 mM Si. This concentration was then selected to assess the effect of Si priming on growth and yield in salt-stressed fenugreek grown under natural conditions. Si priming significantly enhanced plant biomass and yield-related parameters in salt-stressed plants as relative to non-primed plants. Interestingly, the biochemical characterization of harvested seeds revealed that Si priming not only improved growth and yield attributes but also enhanced the nutritional quality and antioxidant activity in harvested seed from salt-stressed plants. In summary, the results of this study provide compelling evidence that, as a promising and eco-friendly approach, Si-based seed priming mitigates the adverse effects of salinity on fenugreek growth and yield under natural conditions.