Seed vigor, genotype and proline in common bean seedling formation under drought and saline stress

ABSTRACT Abiotic stresses, especially water and saline stress, are the main causes of reduced field emergence percentage. Several studies have associated the higher concentration of proline with the tolerance of cultivars to these stresses. However, one needs to determine how genotype and seed vigor act during seedling formation in the presence of stresses and how proline concentration interacts with these factors. The objective of this work was to evaluate the relationships of proline with genotype and seed vigor in seedling formation under drought and saline stress. The genotypes BAF07, BAF13, BAF23, BAF42, BAF44, BAF55 and BAF112 were used. They were subjected to germination tests under water and saline stress. At ten days after sowing, the following parameters were assessed: length, seedling dry mass and capacity to mobilize reserves, as well as the free proline content of the seedlings. Seed vigor and tolerant genotypes may help overcome water and saline stresses, and they should be used as a strategy during sowing. Also, higher proline concentrations are not associated with higher either vigor of the seed lot or tolerant genotypes.