Sustainable approach for seed stimulating and sowing date to enhance field emergence and growth of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

Abstract

Sorghum cultivation is often accompanied by low field emergence rates and weak seedlings, which may be due to genetic or environmental stress. A factorial experiment was conducted in the spring and fall seasons of 2022 using a randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement and four replications. Planting dates (spring season: Feb. 15th, Mar. 1st, 15th, and Apr. 1st, 15th; fall season: Jun. 15th, Jul. 1st, 15th, and Aug. 1st, 15th) were allocated to the main plots. Seeds stimulation treatments (35% banana peel extract + 100 mg L−1 citric acid and distilled water soaking treatment only) were allocated to the subplots. The interaction treatment (banana peel extract + citric acid) with the planting date of April 15 showed the highest field emergence (74.2%), 75% flowering (86.0 day), plant height (163.9 cm), and days to physiological and complete maturity (111.0 and 131.0 day), respectively. The banana peel extract + citric acid soaking treatment with the planting date of July 1st showed the highest field emergence (91.3%), plant height (185.1 cm), leaf area index (7.6), and dry weight per plant (398.8 g). It can be concluded that the seeds primed with banana peel extract + citric acid before planting improved growth characteristics and could be a solution to environmental challenges, which also promote the concept of sustainable agriculture. It can be recommended seeds soaking with a combination of banana peel extract and citric acid to enhance emergence and growth when planting in April 15th for the spring season and July 1st for the fall season.