Effects of Hydro-priming and Seed Size on the Germination, Root, and Shoot of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. var. NSIC Pn18) Grown under Drought Conditions

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effects of hydro-priming duration and peanut seed size on the germination performance and the root and shoot characteristics of peanut seedlings under drought conditions. Two experiments were conducted under the laboratory and nursery. Peanut seed sizes (S1: small seeds and S2: large seeds) designated as the main plots, and duration of priming (P1: 0 hour, P2: 5 hours, and P3: 10 hours) was considered as the subplots. A 2 × 3 split-plot completely randomized design with three replications was used. Ten small and ten large seeds were placed in 4 × 4 inch plastic containers for laboratory experiment and 25 × 25 cm cellophane for pot experiment per treatment filled with dry soil at 10% moisture content. Large seeds soaked at 5–10 hours emerged earlier than the unsoaked seeds in this study. Final germination enhanced in bigger seeds also resulted in an increase in the germination index (seeds day−1) and the seedling vigor index. Likewise, larger seeds produced shorter shoots and plant height but broader shoots with more leaves. It is recommended that bigger seeds can be a good source of planting materials when planted in drought conditions and primed at 5–10 hours. However, unprimed smaller seeds can be used as planting materials in moist soil conditions. The interaction effect was noted on the fresh shoot weight of peanut plants as affected by seed size and hydro-priming. Higher fresh shoot weight of peanut plants when exposed to priming regardless of the seed size was obtained.