Effect of different seed priming techniques on germination and yield of wheat at different sowing dates

Abstract

A field experiment for 3 consecutive years was conducted at Adaptive Research Farm, Sheikhupura during Rabi (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19) to mitigate the yield reduction in wheat due to late sowing through the application of different priming materials. The experiment comprised the different priming materials including (control, hydro-priming, potassium chloride @2% for 24 hours, Water (20 L) + Compost (5 kg) + Raw Sugar (4 kg) for 08 hours, Water (20 L) + Compost (5 kg) + Raw Sugar (4 kg) + Cow Urine (4 L) for 08 hours and Bacteria Inoculum (Biozote 10 kg per 50 kg wheat seed) for 10 minute applied to early and late sown wheat each year. the experiment was arranged in Randomized complete block design (Split plot) with 03 replications. Data regarding germination count, plant height, number of tillers, and number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight and grain yield was recorded. The statistical analysis of data revealed that the application of different priming materials for seed treatment significantly enhanced the germination count, number of tillers, number of grains per spike, 1000-grain weight and the grain yield of wheat. So, it is recommended that in rice wheat cropping system, wheat seed should be sown after treatment with bacterial inoculum or raw sugar and compost to ensure a speedy germination and uniform crop establishment even if the obstacle of late sowing is present. It compensates the yield losses well due to delayed sowing.9