Optimizing KCl seed priming to enhance salinity tolerance in Capsicum frutescens

Abstract. Sari LF, Solichatun, Mudyantini W. 2025. Optimizing KCl seed priming to enhance salinity tolerance in Capsicum frutescens. Cell Biol Dev 9: 1-11. Salinity is a major abiotic stress that poses a challenge to crop productivity, particularly in coastal agricultural zones. However, there is hope on the horizon. The use of potassium chloride (KCl) for seed osmopriming has emerged as a potential strategy to enhance plant tolerance under saline conditions. This method improves seed vigor and early-stage resilience, offering a promising solution to the salinity problem. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of KCl-based osmopriming on the growth and physiological responses of cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) under different levels of salinity stress. We applied a completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors four KCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 200 ppm) and three salinity levels (0, 1,000, and 2,000 ppm NaCl)—using a hydroponic system. The parameters measured included germination percentage, plant height, root length, leaf number, leaf area, shoot-to-root ratio, biomass (fresh and dry weight), total chlorophyll content, and leaf proline levels. The results showed that osmopriming with 50-100 ppm KCl significantly improved plant height, leaf area, and biomass under 1,000 ppm salinity stress, while 200 ppm KCl reduced growth under high salinity (2,000 ppm), suggesting ion toxicity. Physiological traits such as total chlorophyll and proline content exhibited non-significant changes, but trends indicated improved stress responses in primed plants. These findings demonstrate that low-dose KCl osmopriming is a promising pre-sowing treatment to enhance the early growth performance of cayenne pepper under moderate salinity. However, further field validation and biochemical profiling are recommended to optimize its application, highlighting the importance of your potential contribution to this research.