An experiment was conducted in pots under field conditions during fall seasons of 2017 and 2018. This study aimed to improve a weak growth of seedlings under salt stress in sorghum. Three factors were studied. 1st factor was three cultivars (Inqath, Rabeh, and Buhoth70). 2nd factor was seed priming (primed and unprimed seed). Seed were primed by soaking for 12 hours in a solution containing 300 + 70 mg L−1 of gibberellic (GA3) and salicylic (SA) acids, respectively. 3rd factor was irrigation with saline water (6, 9 and 12 dS m−1) resulting from dissolving sodium chloride in distilled water in addition to control treatment (distilled water). Randomized complete block design was used with four replications. In both seasons: the results showed that both of Bohoth70 cultivar and primed seed were superior by giving the highest values of plant height, leaf area, dry seedling weight, leaf content of chlorophyll and proline and the lowest ratio of sodium to potassium. Averages of traits above decreased as the concentration of sodium chloride increased, except leaves content of proline and sodium to potassium ratio which increased with increase of salt stress. Treatment of 12 dS m−1 caused seedlings death for primed or unprimed seed of all studied cultivars. It can be concluded that priming of seed improved their performance to tolerate salt stress compared to unprimed seed.
