Evaluation of Seed Quality in Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) genotypes and Response to Salicylic Acid Priming on Germination and Seedling.

The experiment was conducted at the Khabat Technical Institute (Erbil Polytechnic University, Kurdistan, Iraq) during September of 2025. This study aims to identify the chemical composition of the six flax genotypes in terms of their oil, protein, mineral, and vitamin content. Chemical analyses revealed significant differences in chemical composition among the genotypes. The laboratory experiment was then conducted to evaluate the effect of treating flaxseed with five concentrations of salicylic acid (SA) (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mM) on the germination rates of six flax genotypes (Germany, Leider, Local, Poland, Syrian 1, and Syrian 2). For the germination experiment, the seeds were treated with salicylic acid (SA) for 24 hours, and parameters such as germination percentage and early growth indicators were recorded. Treatment with SA had a variable effect on germination, with a positive effect observed at concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mM in some genotypes, and a negative or negligible effect in others at concentrations of 1.5 and 2 mM. These results highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate SA concentration for each genotype to improve germination and suggest that the chemical diversity of flaxseed genotypes may be related to their physiological response to the hormone.