Effects of different priming applications on seed germination and some agromorphological characteristics of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract

Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the effects of some priming treatments on seed germination properties, grain yield, and several agromorphological characteristics of bread wheat. Two commonly grown bread wheat varieties, namely Adana-99 and Pandas, were selected for experimentation conducted during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 growing periods. The seeds of the Adana-99 and Pandas wheat varieties were primed with the following: (1) distilled water, (2) 100 ppm indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), (3) 2.5% potassium chloride (KCl), (4) 1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4), (5) 10% polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000), or (6) gibberellic acid (GA3, used only for field experiments). Nonprimed seeds were used as the control group. First 1000 mL of priming media was prepared for each priming treatment, and seeds of both varieties were rinsed in the solution for 12 h at room temperature. Germination percentage at two different temperatures (10 °C and 20 °C), coleoptile length, seedling emergence percentage, and seedling growth rate were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Primed seeds of both varieties were sown on two different dates under field conditions to evaluate certain agromorphological characteristics. PEG, IAA, and distilled water treatments increased seed germination percentage, seedling emergence percentage, and seedling growth rate. PEG, KCl, and hydropriming treatments increased grain yield compared to the control. Among the different priming agents used in the study, PEG, KCl, and hydropriming were the most effective treatments to attain higher germination percentage and grain yield.