Abstract: Seeds of maize（Zea mays L.） Jizhi No. 5 were primed with SA and PEG of different concentrations. The primed seeds were subjected to salt stress of 3 NaCl concentrations（0, 100, 200 mmol·L^-1） in standard germination test and a sand culture experiment. The effects of the seed priming with SA and PEG on seed germination and seedling growth under salt stress were investigated. The results show that the seed emergence energy and the emergence rate declined with the increase of NaCl concentration, the growth of seedlings was inhibited, and the accumulation of dry weight reduced. Compared with the control under the same NaCl concentration, the primed seeds with 0.25 mmol·L^-1 SA and 15% PEG had higher emergence energy and rate, higher height of seedlings and length of roots, higher dry weight of seedlings and dry weight of roots, so the salt resistance of maize at germination and seedling stages was improved.

Key words: maize, seed priming, NaCl stress, seed germination, seedling growth