Abstract
Hydropriming of pearl millet seeds was tested during two growing seasons in Burkina Faso. A total of 32 field experiments were distributed equally between two agro-ecological zones: The Northern zone receiving on average less than 600 mm annual precipitation and the Central zone receiving 600 to 900 mm. Hydropriming was performed by soaking of seeds in water for 6 h, followed by air-drying overnight. In the Northern zone, an increase of both emergence and yield was observed for hydroprimed seeds in both years of testing. This was reflected by a higher yield observed in 13 out of 16 field experiments, increased median yield (+159 kg/ha; p<0.0053) and an increase of the relative yield by +29% as a field average (p<0.000054). In contrast, in the Central zone a net negative effect on crop emergence was observed in both years, and only 5 out of 16 field experiments showed a yield increase for hydroprimed seeds. Meteorological data confirmed the difference in rainfall between the two zones. Hydropriming by 6 h of soaking and drying of seeds overnight appears as a simple method to increase yield of pearl millet significantly in the most arid out of two agro-ecological zones tested in Burkina Faso. Drying of seeds overnight is a novel agronomically feasible approach, allowing a full day for subsequent sowing. Key words: Seed-priming, hydro-priming, Sahel, millets, location-dependent effect.
Highlights
Hydropriming has been proposed as a seed treatment to improve crop establishment and yield (Harris, 1996; Harris et al, 1999; 2001 a, b)
Hydropriming by 6 h of soaking and drying of seeds overnight appears as a simple method to increase yield of pearl millet significantly in the most arid out of two agro-ecological zones tested in Burkina Faso
When yields were calculated relative to the field average, the overall effect of hydropriming was equivalent to a mean yield increase of 29% (Table 1; 112.6 relative to 87.4, p
Summary
Hydropriming has been proposed as a seed treatment to improve crop establishment and yield (Harris, 1996; Harris et al, 1999; 2001 a, b). The method includes soaking of seeds in water for a number of hours followed by a short (
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
