Abstract: Seed priming is one of the promising techniques in improving seed germination and seedling growth under abiotic stress. In this study, we investigated seed germination and seedling growth characteristics of Leymus chinensis seeds primed by diluted wood vinegar (1∶100, V∶V) under the conditions of 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mmol·L^-1 NaCl. The results showed that wood vinegar priming significantly promoted seed germination of L. chinensis seeds at all NaCl concentrations. The germination of seeds treated with wood vinegar priming under 0-100 mmol·L^-1 NaCl reached 84.0%-94.7%, which was 28.0%-60.0% higher than that of the control. In addition, wood vinegar priming significantly shortened mean seed germination time under normal and NaCl stresses, and the initial germination days by 2-5 d. Wood vinegar priming promoted the length and number of roots and the number of leaves of L. chinensis under NaCl conditions. In conclusion, wood vinegar priming has great application prospects in improving seed germination rate, shortening germination time, and facilitating seedling growth of L. chinensis under salinity stresses.

Key words: priming, salinity stress, seed germination, Leymus chinensis.