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Seed priming with lavender essential oil increases the germination and seedling growth on saline and potentially toxic elements-contaminated soils

agricultural-science
plant-science
soil-science
environmental-contamination-and-remediation

Abstract

Background: Seed priming with natural compounds has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance plant tolerance to abiotic stresses. Essential oils may mitigate the adverse consequences of potentially toxic elements (PTE) and salinity on seed germination and early growth. This research aimed to explore the priming effect of different doses of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil on germination and seedling development of three Mediterranean aromatic species: Achillea millefolium, Ocimum basilicum, and Thymus vulgaris. Methods: The priming treatment was evaluated at different concentrations of essential oil (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8% vs H2O and polysorbate P80 as controls) on two PTE heavy metal-polluted soils from abandoned mining sites (Montevecchio, HM1; Su Suergiu, HM2; Sardinia, Italy), a saline soil from Arborea in Sardinia (Sal) and a sandy control soil. HM1 and HM2 soils were polluted by As, Cd, Pb, Sb and Zn. Results: Soil type, plant species, and priming conditions significantly affected germination rate, seedling vigor index, and fresh weight. Notably, 0.2% essential oil priming increased germination from ~10% in A. millefolium on HM1 to ~17% in T. vulgaris on control soil. A. millefolium and T. vulgaris showed significant higher soil tolerance index in contaminated soils under 0.2% priming, while T. vulgaris further improved it under 0.2–0.8% priming in control soil. Moreover, In Sal soil, germination and seedling development were generally inhibited across all species, yet Lavandula essential oil at 0.2% occasionally alleviated these effects. Conclusions: These findings highlighted the role of essential oil seed priming in enhancing early plant establishment and stress tolerance, supporting the requalification of marginal lands.
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