The Role of Grain Priming and its Duration on Wheat Germination and Seedling Growth

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effect of different grain priming methods on germination and seedling vigour of wheat cultivar (Gemmiza 9) was performed. Grains were primed for 8, 16 and 24 hours in 13 priming media (water, polyethylene glycol 6000 at 2.5, 5, 7.5 %; CaCl2 at 250, 500, 1000 ppm; ascorbic acid (AsA) at 25, 50, 100 ppm; salicylic acid (SA) at 50, 100, 150 ppm) beside dry grain as a control. In general, it was observed that a priming duration of 24 hr gave the highest values of all duration studied. In addition, results indicated that all grain priming in any priming materials significantly increased seedling vigour index (SVI) represented by germination %, length of seedling and fresh and dry weights of seedling. In most cases, SA at 100 ppm was the most effective in this regard. The greatest germination % was obtained due to 7.5 % PEG; 500 ppm CaCl2; 100 ppm AsA and 100 ppm SA. The highest seedling length was obtained due to 2.5 % PEG; 250 ppm CaCl2; 50 ppm AsA and 100 ppm SA. In addition, seedling dry weight was highest due to 7.5 % PEG; 1000 ppm CaCl2; 50 ppm AsA and 100 ppm SA. The highest SVI values were obtained due to 2.5 % PEG; 250 ppm CaCl2; 50 ppm AsA and 100 ppm SA. These results indicate that priming of grains had a significant effect to promote the germination and seedlings growth of wheat.