Seed Priming Research Articles

Exploring the Potential Enhancing Effects of Trans-Zeatin and Silymarin on the Productivity and Antioxidant Defense Capacity of Cadmium-Stressed Wheat.

Simple SummaryWheat experiments have provided insight into tolerance to cadmium (Cd) stress, the way in which wheat alters its morpho-physio-biochemical and antioxidant system responses when trans-Zeatin + silymarin (applied as seed priming + leaf spray) treatment is offered against Cd stress. This integrative treatment effectively enhanced growth, productivity, photosynthetic efficiency, leaf integrity, and antioxidant systems in the Cd-stressed wheat plants. This treatment reduced the Cd contamination (healthy grains) and increased growth and productivity by increasing osmo-regulatory compounds along with different antioxidant activities, which serve as potent defenses to protect plants from Cd stress by increasing tolerance to Cd stress in wheat.Pot trials were performed to explore the impacts of seed priming (SPr) plus leaf treatment (LTr) with trans-zeatin-type cytokinin (tZck; 0.05 mM) and silymarin (Sim; 0.5 mM) on growth, yield, physio-biochemical responses, and antioxidant defense systems in Cd-stressed wheat. tZck + Sim applied as SPr + LTr was more effective than individual treatments, and the impacts were more pronounced under stress conditions. Cd stress (0.6 mM) severely declined growth and yield traits, and photosynthesis efficiency (pigment contents, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, and photochemical activity) compared to the control. These negative impacts coincided with increased levels of Cd2+, O2•− (superoxide), H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide), MDA (malondialdehyde), and EL (electrolyte leakage). Non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant activities, and tZck and Sim contents were also increased. However, tZck + Sim increased photosynthesis efficiency, and further boosted antioxidant activities, and contents of tZck and Sim, while minimizing Cd2+ levels in roots, leaves, and grains. The levels of O2•−, H2O2, MDA, and EL were also minimized, reflecting positively on growth and productivity. tZck + Sim applied as SPr + LTr was highly effective in promoting antioxidants and photosynthesis machineries, minimizing oxidative stress biomarkers and Cd2+ levels, boosting tolerance to Cd stress, and improving wheat productivity under Cd stress.

Canola Seed Priming and Its Effect on Gas Exchange, Chlorophyll Photobleaching, and Enzymatic Activities in Response to Salt Stress

Canola is the second-largest oil seed crop in the world, providing oil mainly composed of long-chain fatty acids (C14 to C20). When mixed with fossil-diesel, canola-based biofuel can be used in passenger vehicles, trucks, or even in aviation. Canola is the most productive type of biofuel due to its oil’s long-chain and unbranched fatty acid composition, which makes it more fluid. However, canola yields are constrained by drought and salinity that can aggravate climate change, resulting in negative consequences. Therefore, it is becoming necessary for studies that involved the canola salt-tolerant genotypes to consider soil salinization by use of saline soil or salinized soil by a non-efficient irrigation method. This study was carried out to assess the effects of salinity on seed germination and the effect of CaCl2 (ψs = −1.2 MPa) on the promotion of regenerated plant memory when a new cycle of stress occurs. Our experiment shows that salt-stressed canola plants resulted in a high reduction in chlorophylls and carotenoids, with a high impact on gas exchange and a reduction in the efficiency of the chloroplast electron chain transporter, producing the negative effect of reduced molecules that affect the membrane integrity. However, canola seed priming could produce a memory in the regenerated plants when the second round of salt stress was applied. This research concludes that canola genotypes appear to have a tolerance mechanism against salt stress which could be an important trait for developing high-yielding canola varieties in future breeding programs under salt stress conditions.

Priming seeds for the future: Plant immune memory and application in crop protection

Plants have evolved adaptive strategies to cope with pathogen infections that seriously threaten plant viability and crop productivity. Upon the perception of invading pathogens, the plant immune system is primed, establishing an immune memory that allows primed plants to respond more efficiently to the upcoming pathogen attacks. Physiological, transcriptional, metabolic, and epigenetic changes are induced during defense priming, which is essential to the establishment and maintenance of plant immune memory. As an environmental-friendly technique in crop protection, seed priming could effectively induce plant immune memory. In this review, we highlighted the recent advances in the establishment and maintenance mechanisms of plant defense priming and the immune memory associated, and discussed strategies and challenges in exploiting seed priming on crops to enhance disease resistance.

ZnO Nanoparticle-Mediated Seed Priming Induces Biochemical and Antioxidant Changes in Chickpea to Alleviate Fusarium Wilt.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the main pulse crops of Pakistan. The yield of chickpea is affected by a variety of biotic and abiotic factors. Due to their environmentally friendly nature, different nanoparticles are being synthesized and applied to economically important crops. In the present study, Trichoderma harzianum has been used as a stabilizing and reducing agent for the mycosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). Before their application to control Fusarium wilt of chickpea, synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the average size (13 nm) of ZnO NPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated their spherical structure, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) confirmed the oxide formation of ZnO NPs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) described the size and shape of nanoparticles, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy displayed the presence of reducing and stabilizing chemical compounds (alcohol, carboxylic acid, amines, and alkyl halide). Successfully characterized ZnO NPs exhibited significant mycelial growth inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum, in vitro. In a greenhouse pot experiment, the priming of chickpea seeds with ZnO NPs significantly increased the antioxidant activity of germinated plants and they displayed 90% less disease incidence than the control. Seed priming with ZnO NPs helped plants to accumulate higher quantities of sugars, phenol, total proteins, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) to create resistance against wilt pathogen. These nanofungicides were produced in powder form and they can easily be transferred and used in the field to control Fusarium wilt of chickpea.

Impact of Different Seed Priming Methods with Bio Fertilizers and Botanicals on Growth, Yield and Yield Attributing Traits of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2021-2022 at Field Experimentation Center of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, SHUATS, Prayagraj, U.P. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design, with a view to find out the suitable Seed priming methods with bio fertilizers and botanicals on growth, yield and yield attributing traits of Sweet corn (Zea mays L.). For this purpose, 13 priming methods including control were used to study under field conditions. The results indicated that Field emergence percentage at 4,7, and 10 DAS, Plant height at 30, 45, 60 and at harvest DAS, Days to 50% Tasselling, Days to 50% Silking, Days to Maturity, Cob length (cm), Cob girth (cm), Number of cobs per plant, Number of rows per cob, Number of grains per row, Seed index (g), Seed yield per plant (g), Seed yield per plot (t/ha), Stover yield (t/h), Biological yield (t/ha) and harvest index (%), were significantly recorded highest in Azospirillum @ 30g (12 hours) followed by Azospirillum @ 20g (12 hours) when compared to other treatments. It is suggested that seed priming with Azospirillum @ 30g (12 hours) is used for improving growth, yield and yield attributing traits of sweet corn could be recommended.

Comprehensive seed priming assessment of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. in germination and seedling growth stage under salt stress

This study was performed to appraise the effects of several seed pretreatment solutions and priming time on seed germination indices and growth characteristics of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. in various salt stress levels. Seed priming was accomplished by KCl (1 and 2 %), Na2SO3 (0.5 and 1 %), KNO3 (0.5 and 1 %), and Ca2CO3 (1 and 2 %) as halopriming and distilled water as hydropriming at 12 and 24 h priming durations and control (non-primed), then primed seeds exposed to four levels (0, 50, 100, 200 mM) of NaCl solutions. The highest germination percentage was observed in 12 and 24 h hydropriming (63.3 and 53.3 %) and non-primed (56.6 %) under normal condition, respectively. Besides, there was no germinated seed at 24 h priming by 0.5 and 1 percentage of KNO3. Under saline condition, 24 h 2 % Ca2CO3 had the highest germination percentage (43.3 %) in 50 mM, while 12 h treatment with 0.5 % Na2SO3 (33.3 %) had high germination percentage in 100 mM levels of saline conditions. Also, the highest germination rate index was observed in 0.5 % Na2SO3 with 12 h treatment time (4.05 and 3.95 respectively) in 50 and 100 mM levels of saline conditions. Overall, salt stress considerably reduced germination and growth traits of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. seedlings. Considering the effect of various seeds priming of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. on germination indices like germination percentage and mean germination time, the importance of priming duration and type of priming solutions could be concluded.

Silicon Seed Priming Enhances Salt Tolerance of Barley Seedlings through Early ROS Detoxification and Stimulation of Antioxidant Defence

Silicon Seed Priming Enhances Salt Tolerance of Barley Seedlings through Early ROS Detoxification and Stimulation of Antioxidant Defence

Integrated Approaches for Adsorption and Incorporation Testing of Green-Synthesized TiO2NPs Mediated by Seed-Priming Technology in Punica granatum L.

Seed priming is a novel approach that is undertaken to improve seed germination and therefore potentially enhance growth and yield. Low-cost, eco-friendly, and efficient seed treatment as a means of enhancing growth and yield is still being sought for high-value crops such as pomegranates (Punica granatum L.), particularly in areas situated at high altitudes such as the Taif region. The uptake of nanoparticles (NPs) by plants provides a potential pathway for NP exposure. Therefore, it is imperative to understand NP uptake via seed priming and their unique properties within plants. In the present study, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) were green-synthesized and utilized as priming agents for pomegranate seeds at a concentration of 40 mg/mL for 24 h. The adsorption of NPs was verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis/spectroscopy (EDX), while their incorporation was detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To validate the EM results, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES) techniques were further undertaken. The results confirmed the successful synthesis of pure anatase TiO2NPs by employing aqueous extracts of pomegranate fruit peel (PPE) and coffee ground beans (CE). All of the analytical techniques employed in this research confirmed the incorporation of TiO2NPs inside seeds, even after storage during priming treatment. This study lays the foundation for future sustainable seed technologies in terms of crop productivity and seed germination.

SEED PRIMING OF WHEAT THROUGH SALICYLIC ACID TO INDUCE SALT TOLERANCE

Wheat is an important cereal crop consumed throughout the world. Present study was planned to conduct in greenhouse of IMBB, University of the Lahore for determination of effects of salt stress on growth of wheat seedlings. Seed from selected wheat genotypes (SHAFAQ-2006, ANAJ-2017and Galaxy-2013) were used to grow in 54 pots, which were filled with 2kg pure washed sand. The sand was mixed with 500mg/kg of salt NaCl in each of the pot except of the control pots for wheat sowing. The seed of wheat variety were sown in triplicate pots with all irrigation requirements in equal manners. The use of salicylic acid (SA) for seed priming was more effective for number of roots per plant. The highest root length was recorded for treatment of SA priming + NaCl which indicated that the application of SA induced higher number of roots and long roots under salt stress conditions. The higher root water contents and shoot water contents were recorded under the application of water priming of seeds. The positive contribution of root water contents to root length indicated that the higher root water contents caused increase in shoot length due to higher water, mineral and nutrient absorption and retention which caused increase in photosynthetic rate and vice versa. It was found from results that the genotype GALAXY-2013 performed better under different treatments and SA priming application for root length, shoot length and number of roots per plant. The results suggested that the genotype GALAXY-2013 may be used to develop different wheat genotypes which may show higher grain yield under the applications of SA as seed priming compound while growing wheat in slat stress environment.

Sunflower Bark Extract as a Biostimulant Suppresses Reactive Oxygen Species in Salt-Stressed Arabidopsis.

A survey of plant-based wastes identified sunflower (Helianthus annuus) bark extract (SBE), produced via twin-screw extrusion, as a potential biostimulant. The addition of SBE to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seedlings cultured in vitro showed a dose-dependent response, with high concentrations causing severe growth inhibition. However, when priming seeds with SBE, a small but significant increase in leaf area was observed at a dose of 0.5 g of lyophilized powder per liter. This optimal concentration of SBE in the culturing medium alleviated the growth inhibition caused by 100 mM NaCl. The recovery in shoot growth was accompanied by a pronounced increase in photosynthetic pigment levels and a stabilization of osmotic homeostasis. SBE-primed leaf discs also showed a similar protective effect. SBE mitigated salt stress by reducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) by about 30% and developing more expanded true leaves. This reduction in ROS levels was due to the presence of antioxidative agents in SBE and by activating ROS-eliminating enzymes. Polyphenols, carbohydrates, proteins, and other bioactive compounds detected in SBE may have contributed to the cellular redox homeostasis in salt-stressed plants, thus promoting early leaf development by relieving shoot apical meristem arrest. Sunflower stalks from which SBE is prepared can therefore potentially be valorized as a source to produce biostimulants for improving salt stress tolerance in crops.

Chemical Seed Priming to Improve Salinity Tolerance in Rice

A study was conducted at Rice Research Station, Vyttila to assess the effect of seed priming in improving the salinity tolerance of rice varieties. The study consisted of two parts. In the first part, screening of rice varieties for salinity tolerance was done and in the second experiment, the effect of priming on salinity tolerance was assessed. The first experiment was a laboratory study to screen three rice varieties, namely, Jyothi, Uma and Vyttila-10 at five salinity levels i.e., non-saline, 3 dS m-1, 6 dS m-1, 9 dS m-1 and 12 dS m-1. Results showed that Jyothi was susceptible to 6 dS m-1 salinity at 16 days after sowing (DAS). Uma was moderately tolerant and became susceptible to 6 dS m-1 at 21 DAS. Vyttila-10 was highly tolerant to 6 dS m-1 salinity but it was susceptible to the salinity level of 9 dS m-1 at 21 DAS. In the second experiment, seeds of these varieties were primed with three chemicals namely beta-amino butyric acid @ 1 mmol L-1, calcium chloride @ 2% and sodium nitroprusside @ 100 µM and with water as control. The seedlings of Jyothi and Uma were raised at salinity levels of 6 dS m-1 and 9 dS m-1, while seedlings of Vyttila-10 were raised at salinity levels of 9 dS m-1 and 12 dS m-1. The efficacy of each priming chemical was analyzed based on germination percentage, growth parameters and visual salt injury symptoms. Priming seeds with calcium chloride was found to improve the growth and salinity tolerance of rice seedlings and could be a reliable method to combat the salinity stress of rice in the initial stages of crop growth.

Effect of salicylic acid seed priming on morpho-physiological responses and yield of baby corn under salt stress

Rising salinity in the arable lands is a substantial threat to crop production. Exogenously-applied salicylic acid (SA) alleviates the negative impacts of salinity on plants. A factorial pot experiment, consisted of two baby corn hybrid cultivars (PAC 571: salt-tolerant and SG 17 Super: salt-sensitive), three doses of SA (0 [hydropriming], 1, and 2 mM) applied as a seed priming material, and four levels of salinity (0.7 [control], 6, 9, and 12 dS m–1), was conducted to evaluate the impact of SA on baby corn under salt stress. Data on growth, physiological traits, cob yield, and ion content in leaf tissues were collected, which revealed that an increasing salinity level was equally detrimental for the two tested cultivars with varying intensities. At the highest salinity level (12 dS m–1), both cultivars produced no cob, and the same salinity level caused a reduction of 67%, 14%, 42%, 87%, and 37% in shoot dry matter, leaf relative water content, membrane stability index, net photosynthetic rate, and leaf potassium content, respectively, compared with the control across cultivars and SA levels. The same salinity level caused about 3-fold, 10-fold, and 6-fold increases in electrolyte leakage, free proline content, and leaf sodium content, respectively. Seed priming with SA was effective, and 1 mM provided more promising results with an increase of 43%, 45%, 5%, and 7% in root dry matter, cob yield, leaf relative water content, and free proline content at 6 dS m–1 than 0 mM SA at the same salinity level. Salt-tolerant cultivar (PAC 571) had significantly higher cob number plant–1 (30%) and cob yield (34%) than salt-sensitive cultivar (SG 17 Super) at 6 dS m–1. However, there was largely no effect of SA seed priming on other evaluated parameters at 9 and 12 dS m–1 salinity levels. Priming of seeds with 1 mM SA could be a promising approach for baby corn production under a moderate salinity level up to 6 dS m–1. However, harmful effects of extreme salinity (9 and 12 dS m–1) cannot be completely compensated for SA seed priming.

Study on Hydro Priming of Pomegranate Seeds for Germination and Seedling Vigour

Among various seed enhancement method, seed priming is an efficient and inexpensive method for increasing and improving seed vigour & germination and seedling growth. Therefore, the present experiment was carried out with hydropriming of pomegranate seeds where the seeds after being procured were dipped in water for 0, 10, 20 and 30 hours and for 40 and 50 minutes respectively. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was followed with three replications for each treatment. From the study it was obtained that hydro priming treatment and soaking durations significantly increased growth parameters such as germination percentage, number of leaves, length of leaves, length of roots, number of rootlets and total length of seedling. Overall, the results revealed that hydro priming of the seeds for 30 hours followed by soaking in water for 40 minutes were the two best treatments that gave noticeable results for different parameters.

Effect of Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates and Seed Priming Treatments on Seed Quality of Bambara Groundnut

Bambara groundnut (BG) is one of the neglected and underutilized African legumes. Not many studies have examined the seed quality response of BG landraces grown by Ugandan farmers to seed quality enhancement treatments and application of phosphorus. This study was aimed at determining the effect of applying different rates of phosphorus on seed yield and seed quality of BG, and the effect of hydropriming and halopriming with potassium nitrate on its seed quality. Field experiment was set at Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Ngetta in Uganda using RCBD with a 3x4 factorial treatment structure (3 BG landraces and 4 phosphorus rates). A standard germination test was conducted on seeds harvested from this experiment. Landrace with the poorest germination was subjected to seed priming treatments, and a standard germination test done. Phosphorus application did not significantly affect seed yield (p>0.05) of landraces but significantly affected their germination capacity and seed vigour (p<0.05). The effect of seed priming treatments on germination capacity and vigour of AbiBam 001 landrace was not significant (p >0.05). Among the landraces evaluated, only AbiBam 001 landrace responded positively to phosphorus application with respect to seed yield and seed quality. Seed priming treatments did not improve germination capacity and vigour in AbiBam 001 landrace. Phosphorus use efficiency of Bambara groundnut landraces should be investigated to explain their responses to application of phosphorus.

On-farm hydro and nutri-priming increases yield of rainfed pearl millet through physio-biochemical adjustments and anti-oxidative defense mechanism.

Seed priming technique has a marvelous potential in enhancing seed germination and crop establishment under limited soil moisture conditions, which ultimately increases yield. Therefore, we investigated the effects of seed priming on physiology, growth, yield and antioxidant defense system of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) under rain-fed condition. The experiments were conducted under laboratory as well as field conditions comprising three treatments i.e., non-primed seeds (control, T0), priming with tap water (hydropriming) (T1) and priming with 2% KNO3 2% for 6 hours at 25°C followed by shade drying (T2). The results showed that chlorophyll content (10.37-14.15%) and relative water content (RWC) (12.70-13.01%) increased whereas proline (-19.44 to -25%) and soluble sugar (-15.51 to -29.13%) contents decreased on account of seed priming in pearl millet under field conditions. The seed priming significantly improved the plant height, final plant stand and grain weight which resulted in increased yield. Enhanced activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (5.89 to 8.10 unit/g/seed/min), catalase (CAT) (22.54 to 39.67 µmol/min/g/seed) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) (8.92 to 22.10 µmol/cm/min/g) and concomitant decrease in H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) content suggests their role in imparting oxidative tolerance at initial stages of growth in primed seed. The lab studies suggest that the improved yield might be attributes to increased seed germination and seedling vigor. It is recommended that the hydropriming (tap water) or KNO3 (2%) priming of seeds for 6 hours under ambient conditions is effective to enhance growth and yield of pearl millet under rainfed conditions.

Effect of Pre-sowing Seed Treatments on Physiological Potential of Seed Germination in Okra

Aims: The present investigation was carried out at SKUAST-Kashmir during the year 2020 to improve the seed vigour and germination potential of okra through pre-sowing seed treatments.
 Study Design: The experiment was laid in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications
 Place and Duration of Study: The present investigation was carried out at the division of Basic Sciences and Humanities, SKUAST-Kashmir during the year 2020
 Methodology: There were nine pre-sowing seed treatments comprised of simple seed soaking and seed priming with water (T1 and T5), -1.0MPa solution of PEG (T2 and T6), 100ppm solution of GA3 (T3 and T7) and 1.5% solution of KH2PO4 (T4 and T8), respectively along with untreated control (T0). Fifty seeds of each treatment were cultured in 14.0cm Petri dishes lined with 10 layers of moist filter paper. Observations on various germination parameters were recorded at (25±2°C).
 Results: Findings of the study revealed that seed soaking in water (T1) resulted in maximum FGP (93.3%) and GI (16.29) compared to other treatments. Discrete middling of different soaking (AvS) and priming (AvP) treatments indicated the novelty of seed priming over simple soaking. However, unlike FGP and GI, all other parameters viz., CVG, MGT, MGR, T50 and Z-index were found superior when seeds were primed in water (T5) with their recorded values of 87.34%day-1, 1.15day-1, 0.614 day-1, 1.18 day, 0.790, respectively. Values of CVG, MGR and Z index with respect to separate means of simple seed soaking, AvS (69.5%day-1, 0. 0.566day-1 and 0.53) and priming, AvP (75.6%day-1, 0.573day-1 and 0.63) further confirmed the dominancy of seed priming technique over simple seed soaking. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis revealed strong relationship between different quantities of seed germination attributes.
 Conclusion: Seed priming resulted in better germination attributes in okra compared to tradirional seed soaking and as such priming treatments should be practiced instead of traditional seed soaking in okra.

Spirulina platensis Biofertilization for Enhancing Growth, Photosynthetic Capacity and Yield of Lupinus luteus

Cyanobacteria can play an important role in sustainable agriculture by improving crop growth and production, as well as environmental quality. The current study was conducted to evaluate the role of Spirulina platensis extract in the improvement of growth, photosynthetic capacity and yield of Lupinus luteus. Different concentrations (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0%) of S. platensis methanolic extract were used for priming seeds and foliar spraying applications. Growth, photosynthetic pigment content and activity were recorded at 35 days of cultivation. The yield measurements and protein profile of seeds were performed at 60 days. For both treatments, the lower concentration (0.25%) of the extract was the most successful in improving all growth metrics and the phytohormonal level of L. luteus. Photosynthetic pigment and capacity, nutrient content and yield components of L. luteus were improved with the extract of 0.25% concentration. However, the growth was significantly inhibited at the higher concentration (1.0%), recording lower values of the measured characters than the control. A positive correlation was observed between the total chlorophyll, photosynthetic rate, yield parameters and carbohydrate accumulation by the application of the S. platensis extracts. The protein profile of seeds revealed that spraying treatment triggered the appearance of a new band of 30.56 KDa. The promotion of growth could be attributed to the nutrients, bioactive molecules and phytohormones in the extract. The use of Spirulina-based stimulators is reliable with the concept of sustainable agriculture by enhancing photosynthetic pigment content and rate ensuring the correlation between the yield and those measured parameters of L. luteus.

Effect of Seed Priming of Two Stored Sudangrass Genotypes on Seed Germination, Seedling Vigor, Growth and Forage Yield and Its Component

Seed priming is a technique, which could improve the germination and establishment on the seeds, which were stored for 1.5 years under normal conditions. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of different seed priming techniques, through un-soaked seed (control), Hydro-priming (soaked with distill water), 25 ppm of salicylic acid, 1.5% of Calcium chloride (CaCl2) and 3% of Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) for 10 hours on seed germination%, seedling vigor and forage yield of two sudangrass genotypes (Piper black and Giza1). Two experiments (laboratory and field) were conducted at Sakha Agric. Res. Station, ARC, Egypt, during the two successive summer seasons 2019 and 2020.The results obtained indicated that 25 ppm of salicylic acid followed by 1.5% of CaCl2 and 3% of KH2PO4 treatments significantly affected on seed germination percentage, shoot and root length, fresh and dry seedling weight, seed vigor index, seedling vigor index, electrical conductivity and forage yield. Piper black genotypes were the highest in seed germination percentage, seed vigor index and seedling dry weight, but it was the lowest of electrical conductivity. It could be concluded that seed priming may serve as an appropriate treatment for accelerating the emergence so improve cutting and forage yield of sudangrass genotypes under study. Significant differences for fresh yield ton /hectare and piper black had higher fresh, dry and total yield ton /hectare than Giza1. Seed priming had highly significant differences at all cuts in the two seasons and SA25 ppm Salsilc acid treatment had superior and the highest dry yield in the two seasons, while control treatment was the lowest dry yield. Technique of seed priming led to improving germination, seedling characters, and forage yield under experiment conditions in comparison to non-primed seed (dry seed) in sudangrass seed stored for 1.5 years. Salicylic acid with 25 ppm had the highest values followed by1.5% of CaCl2 and 3% of KH2PO4 in the field conditions. Piper black genotype was the best as compared with Giza1 genotype, which gave the highest seed germination %, seedling vigor and viability. May be recommended for hydropriming seeds for 10 hours in water, which led to an increase in the total fresh yield by 30%, the highest seed germination percentage (94.00 and 92.50%), seed vigor index (20.79 and 19.84) and seedling vigor index (2194.11 and 2236.47) as practical seeds about 10 hours treatment.

Screening for the Optimum Concentration of Chitosan through Seed Priming in Mungbean Genotypes

Four different concentrations of chitosan and four mungbean genotypes were studied to determine the optimum concentration of chitosan seed priming. The experiment results revealed that germination percentage, shoot length, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, and seedling vigor index differed significantly among the treatments and genotypes. The greatest impact was observed at lower concentrations of 0.15% in all four genotypes showing consistent improvements in all the studied parameters. The highest concentration of 0.35% appears to be at par with the control and shows no statistical significance. However, root length was affected in IPM 2-14 and IPM 2-3 at high concentrations. In terms of seedling vigor index, IPM 2-3 showed significant reductions at 0.35%, while other genotypes recorded improvement. Based on our results, we conclude that chitosan seed priming has genotype-specific responses, and lower chitosan concentrations have significant positive effects on all parameters and provide important results for deployment in sustainable agricultural practices.

Seed Priming’s Effectiveness in Improving Okra Germination and Seedling Growth

Seed priming is a pre-sowing seed treatment technique that enables the seed to emerge fast, raise vigor, and increase yield potential. Field research was done to evaluate the efficacy of seed priming on germination and seedling growth of okra in Nawalpur, Nepal. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized completely blocked design (RCBD) from May to June 2020. Open-pollinated variety Arka anamika with four treatments (T1; priming with tap water for 24 hours, T2: priming with hot water at 500c for 5 minutes, T3: priming with cow’s urine at 2% concentration for 3 hours, and T4: priming with NaCl at 3% concentration for 12 hours) was evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design that included five replications for each treatment. The germination study was done for 10 days after sowing whereas the seedling growth parameter was done after germination up to 15 DAS. The result of the study showed that the highest germination percentage (72%), seed vigor (1451.00 cm), and plant height (9.19 cm) was observed in seed primed with hot water. Similarly, the lowest mean germination time MGT (1.66 days) and highest shoot length (10.68 cm) were observed in seeds primed with NaCl. Overall, seed priming with hot water and NaCl were found effective to ameliorate germination and seedling growth in okra under field conditions in Nawalpur.