Seed Priming Research Articles

Application of Moringa Leaf Extract as a Seed Priming Agent Enhances Growth and Physiological Attributes of Rice Seedlings Cultivated under Water Deficit Regime.

Population growth, food shortages, climate change and water scarcity are some of the frightening challenges being confronted in today’s world. Water deficit or drought stress has been considered a severe limitation for the productivity of rice, a widely popular nutritive cereal crop and the staple food of a large portion of the population. A key stage in crop growth is seed emergence, which is mostly constrained by abiotic elements such as high temperatures, soil crusting and low water potential, which are responsible for poor stand establishment. Seed priming is a pre-sowing treatment of seeds that primes them to a physiological state that allows them to emerge more proficiently. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of leaf extracts from local and exotic moringa landraces as seed priming agents in rice cultivated under water deficit (75% field capacity) and control conditions (100% field capacity). Rice seeds were placed in an aerated solution of moringa leaf extract (MLE) at 3% from three obtained landraces (Faisalabad, Multan and an exotic landrace of India). The results obtained from the experimentation show that the water deficit regime adversely affected the studied indicators including emergence and growth attributes as well as physiological parameters. Among the priming agents, MLE from the Faisalabad landrace significantly improved the speed and spread of emergence of rice seedlings (time to start emergence at 23%, emergence index at 75%, mean emergence time at 3.58% and final emergence percentage at 46%). All the priming agents enhanced the growth, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange parameters and antioxidant activities, particularly under the water deficit regime, but the maximum improvement was recorded by the MLE from the Faisalabad landrace. Therefore, the MLE of the Faisalabad landrace can be productively used to boost the seedling establishment and growth of rice grown under normal and water deficit conditions.

Potential of Seaweed Extract on Growth, Physiological, Cytological and Biochemical Parameters of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Seedlings

Synthetic fertilizers are widely employed in agriculture relative to biofertilizers. Long-term use affects soil fertility, plant vigor, human and livestock health, and the soil microbial community. Seaweeds were employed as biofertilizers in sustainable agriculture to overcome this issue and boost the agricultural productivity. Therefore, the current study investigates the effect of wheat seeds priming with the aqueous extracts of Ulva linza or Corallina officinalis seaweeds at various concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, and 30%). Wheat grains were primed with seaweed extracts and grown in petri dishes, and the germination rate, growth attributes, physiological parameters, cytological traits, and molecular analyses were evaluated. The physico-chemical characterization revealed that U. linza possessed higher levels of ash, soluble proteins, and sugars, as well as essential macronutrients and amino acids, than C. officinalis. Seedling growth parameters, physiological characteristics, and mitotic index all showed a substantial increase in low concentrations of both extracts when compared to the control. Higher concentrations, on the other hand, exhibited an inhibitory effect as well as certain chromosomal abnormalities. In the treated seedlings, new proteins were expressed, which could be owing to the activity of bioactive components in the extracts. As compared to untreated seedlings, PCR-RAPD analysis utilizing five markers revealed that both seaweed extracts triggered low and high molecular weight DNA fragments, as well as fragments specific to each extract. Seaweed extracts could be employed as an environmentally friendly and soil-safe alternative to typical chemical fertilizers.

Seed germination and vigor: ensuring crop sustainability in a changing climate.

In the coming decades, maintaining a steady food supply for the increasing world population will require high-yielding crop plants which can be productive under increasingly variable conditions. Maintaining high yields will require the successful and uniform establishment of plants in the field under altered environmental conditions. Seed vigor, a complex agronomic trait that includes seed longevity, germination speed, seedling growth, and early stress tolerance, determines the duration and success of this establishment period. Elevated temperature during early seed development can decrease seed size, number, and fertility, delay germination and reduce seed vigor in crops such as cereals, legumes, and vegetable crops. Heat stress in mature seeds can reduce seed vigor in crops such as lettuce, oat, and chickpea. Warming trends and increasing temperature variability can increase seed dormancy and reduce germination rates, especially in crops that require lower temperatures for germination and seedling establishment. To improve seed germination speed and success, much research has focused on selecting quality seeds for replanting, priming seeds before sowing, and breeding varieties with improved seed performance. Recent strides in understanding the genetic basis of variation in seed vigor have used genomics and transcriptomics to identify candidate genes for improving germination, and several studies have explored the potential impact of climate change on the percentage and timing of germination. In this review, we discuss these recent advances in the genetic underpinnings of seed performance as well as how climate change is expected to affect vigor in current varieties of staple, vegetable, and other crops.

Seed Priming Influence on High Temperature Tolerance and Weed Suppressive Ability of Late Sown Dry Direct Seeded Winter Rice

Seed priming is a pre-sowing hydration technique which leads to a physiological condition triggering germination and enhancing uniform seedling emergence. It is a promising tool for enhancing drought tolerance in plants which is essential for promoting economic development by coping up with the adverse effects of climate change on crop productivity. So, a better understanding of seed priming efficacy is required. Therefore an experiment was conducted with a view to investigating the effect of seed priming agent on the weed growth and yield performance of high yielding rice variety BRRI dhan29 sown on different dates following dry direct seeded condition in boro season. Two sowing dates viz., 20th January (early or optimum sowing as control) and 20th February (late sowing as high temperature stress during reproductive stage) and seed priming agents included NaCl (20000 and 30000 ppm), KCl (20000 and 30000 ppm), CaCl2 (20000 and 30000 ppm), CuSO4 (50 and 75 ppm), ZnSO4 (10000 and 15000 ppm), Na2MoO4 (2 and 3 ppm) and PEG (100 and 150 ppm) were used. Plant height and tillers of BRRI dhan29 were significantly enhanced when seeds were sown early (20th January) and due to seed priming at early stage and at harvest. Among the yield parameters grains panicle-1, grain yield, and straw yield were produced more by early sowing (20th January). Grains panicle-1, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield were positively influenced due to seed priming. Considering the growth and yield parameters and yield of rice, early sowing and seed priming with KCl or CaCl2 were found as the best. Seed priming produced no significant effect on the weed growth. There was no significant effect of interaction between sowing date and priming agent on crop characters and yield parameters. Therefore, seed priming with 20000 ppm KCl or 20000 ppm CaCl2 and early sowing is recommended for increasing the yield of dry direct seeded boro rice (BRRI dhan29). If somehow early sowing is not possible, seed priming with 20000 ppm KCl or 20000 ppm CaCl2 is highly recommended or mitigating temperature stress during reproductive stage and enhancing yield of BRRI dhan29 under dry direct seeded, late sowncondition.

Promoting seedling vigour and grain zinc accumulation in rice by priming seeds and foliar application with zinc and potassium fertiliser

Seed priming with zinc (Zn) and potassium (K) has been suggested to improve plant growth and productivity; however, the same effects have not yet been established when a simultaneous Zn+K solution is applied. This study aimed to determine the effects of priming seed and foliar application with Zn and K solution on seedling growth, yield, and grain Zn concentration in three rice varieties (SPT1, BL and KDK). The study consisted of three independent experiments. In Experiment 1, seed germination and seedling vigour were evaluated after priming rice seeds with a solution of 0.5% ZnSO4, in combination with various concentrations (1–4%) of K, compared with a control of no Zn and K. In Experiment 2, the selected concentrations of K solution combined with Zn (Zn0K0, Zn+K0, Zn0K+ and Zn+K+) were applied for each rice variety to evaluate seedling growth and development at 7 and 21 days. In Experiment 3, foliar application with the same solution as in Experiment 2 was used to evaluate its effect on yield and grain Zn accumulation. Seed priming with Zn combined with K at concentrations of 1%, 3% and 2% resulted in the maximum seedling growth traits in SPT1, BL and KDK respectively. Seed priming with a combination of Zn and K (Zn+K+) markedly increased the dry weight of 7-day-old seedlings, for about 14–15% in SPT1 and BL varieties compared with the unprimed seeds. Moreover, foliar application with Zn+K0 and Zn+K+ increased grain yield by 16–29% in the BL variety, whereas it increased grain Zn concentration in all rice varieties by 18–27% from the control treatment. This study concluded that priming rice seed with a combination of Zn and K can be used to improve seed germination and seedling growth, whereas increasing grain yield and grain Zn concentration requires an additional foliar Zn application.

Amelioration of the Physio-Biochemical Responses to Salinity Stress and Computing the Primary Germination Index Components in Cauliflower on Seed Priming

Amelioration of the Physio-Biochemical Responses to Salinity Stress and Computing the Primary Germination Index Components in Cauliflower on Seed Priming

Physiological changes associated with hydropriming in maize hybrids

A study was undertaken in the laboratory of National Seed Project Shalimar and in the laboratory of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura during 2019-2021. The objective of the present study was to standardize the hydro-priming technique in two maize hybrids SMH-3 and SMH-5 and to know the physiological changes associated with the priming in maize seeds. Different combinations of temperature and duration of soaking were tested and the most efficient priming temperature was 25±1ºC and the ideal duration of soaking was 24 h. All the physiological attributes like first count, final count of germination, T50, BRI, MSL, MSDW, SVI-I, SVI-II were significantly higher in both hybrids and their parental lines than the non-primed maize seeds.

Impact of Silicon Seed Priming on Osmoregulants, Antioxidants, and Seedling Growth of Maize Grown under Chemo-Stress

Impact of Silicon Seed Priming on Osmoregulants, Antioxidants, and Seedling Growth of Maize Grown under Chemo-Stress

Glutathione-Based Seed Priming Modulates Early Growth and Improves Pysio-Biocemical and Micronutrient Content of Pisum Sativum Against Copper Toxicity

Glutathione-Based Seed Priming Modulates Early Growth and Improves Pysio-Biocemical and Micronutrient Content of Pisum Sativum Against Copper Toxicity

Priming seeds of sorghum and sudangrass using water and aquatic extracts of willow and banana

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of seed priming on seed quality parameters (germination energy, germination, seedling length and vigor index) of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense Pers.). The experiment was performed at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia. The research was conducted on the seeds of the sorghum variety NS Džin and sudangrass variety Srem. Distilled water and aqueous extracts of young willow branches (Salix matsudana) and mature banana fruits (Musa x paradisiaca) were used to prime the seeds. The seeds were primed for: 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h. The results showed that priming sorghum and sudangrass seeds in aqueous extracts of young willow branches and mature banana fruits can have a positive effect on seed quality parameters: germination energy, germination, seedling length and vigor index. The greatest effect on germination energy and seed germination was achieved in sudangrass by using an aqueous extract of young willow branches. The increase was 9.30% and 9.20%, respectively. Priming sorghum seeds in aquatic extracts of mature banana fruits had the greatest effect on seedling length and vigor index. The increase was 36.86% and 40.33%, respectively. For all research parameters, priming for 3 h was the most effective. However, in addition to the positive effect, priming can also have a negative effect. The most significant reduction was found on sorghum seeds, when primed in an aqueous extract of mature banana fruit for 24 hours. Germination energy and germination were reduced by 7.14% and 9.30%, respectively.

SEED PRIMING AND EXOGENOUS APPLICATION OF SALICYLIC ACID ENHANCE GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) BY REGULATING PHOTOSYNTHETIC ATTRIBUTES

Low and uneven germination is a serious problem for the successful production of okra seedlings. Priming of seeds as well as supplementation of different plant growth regulators exhibited better response in successful seedling production which eventually results in higher yield. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of seed priming and exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) on okra seed germination and plant development. The okra seeds were primed by 1 mM and 2 mM of SA for 60 minutes whereas the seeds were washed several times with distilled water for the control treatment. Similar doses of SA have been exogenously sprayed to the 12 days okra seedlings for 4 days. The results of the study revealed that seed priming with SA enhanced germination percentage (GP), increased coleoptile length and weight, shoot and root length, and seed vigor index (SVI). Similarly, exogenous application of 1 mM SA increased relative water content (RWC), contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll while a higher dose of SA (2 mM) degraded the leaf pigments. Supplementation of SA altered photosynthetic attributes, net photosynthetic (Pn) and transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs), and water use efficiency (WUE). Moreover, SA treatment reduced the time duration of flower bud initiation and days to first flowering and enhanced the yield per plant. The results of this study indicated that seed priming and exogenous application of SA enhanced germination and okra productivity by regulating RWC and photosynthetic attributes where 1 mM SA is more effective compared to 2 mM SA.

Review: Biofortification of Cereals with Zinc through Agronomic practices

In the developing world, Zinc deficiency is a bigger most socio-economic concern for the human and constraints for crop production. The deficiency of micronutrients in humans is generally overlapped with the deficiency in the soil. Mostly zinc deficiency is prevalent due to the consumption of cereals because their grains are genetically low in zinc concentration. The zinc deficiency is mostly occurred in soil due to cropping intensification. Intensification of zinc deficiency in humans mainly occurred due to the regular consumption of cereals as a staple food. Zn plays a key role to regulate the different functions in plants, animals, and humans. In humans, especially zinc is required for the immunity boost up. Therefore, a rapid and complementary approach is required for the biofortification of cereal crops to control zinc deficiency in the developing world. In this scenario, the breeding strategy is cost-effective, competent, and requires a lot of time to biofortified the cereals; but, on the other hand, agronomic biofortification is one of the most competitive approaches and rapid strategies. In the agronomic strategies of biofortification, (I) the priming of cereal seeds increases the germination ability and their strength/resistance against biotic & abiotic stressors (II) Soil and foliar application of zinc fertilizer (ZnSO4) greatly increase the zinc concentration in grain cereals. Generally, soil with foliar application increases the zinc concentration in grains many folds. Chelation-based strategies play a key role in zinc uptake and remobilization. So, agronomic strategies with chelation help to increase zinc content many folds in cereal grains.

Salicylic acid seed priming boosts germination in Brassica rapa ssp pekinensis under cold stress

In Korea, the seeds of Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis are sown in the winter and spring months. Cold stress can result in irregular seed germination and poor seedling establishment in some cases. Priming seeds with salicylic acid (SA) can reduce the likelihood of poor seedling establishment when exposed to cold stress conditions, which is beneficial for many plant species. The present study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of seed priming with SA on seed germination and seedling establishment in B. rapa ssp. pekinensis under cold stress conditions. Seeds were soaked in different SA concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 mM) for 12 and 24 hours, respectively, and then both primed and unprimed seeds germinated at 5 oC. Using SA treatment, seed germination was improved, as was root and shoot length, which were both longer in SA primed seeds than in unprimed seeds. Based on the findings, it is possible to use SA priming as one of the most effective ways to maintain productivity in B. rapa ssp. pekinensis while it is exposed to low temperatures.

Nano-enabled improvements of growth and colonization rate in wheat inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi display desired potential to boost crop productivity and drought acclimation. Yet, whether nanoparticles can be incorporated into arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for better improvement and its relevant morphologic and anatomical evidences are little documented. Pot culture experiment on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was conducted under drought stress (30% FWC) as well as well watered conditions (80% FWC) that involved priming of wheat seeds with iron nanoparticles at different concentrations (5mg L−1, 10 mg L−1 and 15 mg L−1) with and without the inoculation of Glomus intraradices. The effects of treatments were observed on morphological and physiological parameters across jointing, anthesis and maturity stage. Root colonization and nanoparticle uptake trend by seeds and roots was also recorded. We observed strikingly high enhancement in biomass up to 109% under drought and 71% under well-watered conditions, and grain yield increased to 163% under drought and 60% under well-watered conditions. Iron nanoparticles at 10 mg L−1 when combined with Glomus intraradices resulted in maximum wheat growth and yield, which mechanically resulted from higher rhizosphere colonization level, water use efficiency and photosynthetic rate under drought stress (P < 0.01). Across growth stages, optical micrograph observations affirmed higher root infection rate when combined with nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy indicated the penetration of nanoparticles into the seeds and translocation across roots whereas energy dispersive X-ray analyses further confirmed the presence of Fe in these organs. Iron nanoparticles significantly enhanced the growth-promoting and drought-tolerant effects of Glomus intraradices on wheat.

Influence of Seed Priming and Foliar Spray of Nutrients on Growth and Yield of Rabi Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

An experiment was carried out at Agricultural Research Station, Tandur, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) for three consecutive years viz. 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 to study the Influence of seed priming and foliar spray of nutrients on growth and yield of Rabi Sorghum during the winter seasons. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with two factors. The treatments comprised were Factor 1: Seed priming (5) 1.Priming for 12 Hours in Water 2.Priming with ZnSo4 (2% solution) 3.Priming with K2HPO4 (2% solution). 4. Priming with KNO3 (2% solution) and 5.Control (No Priming). Factor 2: Foliar Spray (4) 1.KNO3 @ 2g in 100 ml of water, 2. Diammonium phosphate @ 2g in 100 ml of water, 3.Urea @ 2g in 100 ml of water and 5.Control (Simple water spray) with three replications. The pooled results of the trial indicated that seed treatment with KNO3 @ 0.5% and seed priming with KH2PO4 @ 0.5% recorded significantly on par and highest among all other seed priming treatment. The 100 seed weight (g) and grain yield t/ha recorded significantly on par by foliar spraying of KNO3 @ 2 % and di ammonium phosphate @ 2g in 100 ml of water over the control. The combination of seed priming with KNO3 and foliar spray of KNO3 or di ammonium phosphate @ 2g in 100 ml of water or Urea @ 2g in 100 ml of water resulted in highest and on par grain yield of rabi sorghum.

γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Priming Improves Seed Germination and Seedling Stress Tolerance Associated With Enhanced Antioxidant Metabolism, DREB Expression, and Dehydrin Accumulation in White Clover Under Water Stress.

As an important plant growth regulator, the role of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in regulating seeds germination was less well elucidated under water stress. The present study was conducted to investigate the impact of GABA pretreatment on seeds germination of white clover (Trifolium repens) under water deficient condition. Results demonstrated that seeds pretreated with 2μmol/l GABA significantly alleviated decreases in endogenous GABA content, germination percentage, germination potential, germination index, root length, and fresh weight along with marked reduction in mean germination time after 7days of germination under drought stress. In addition, seeds priming with GABA significantly increased the accumulation of soluble sugars, non-enzymatic antioxidants [reduced ascorbate, dehydroascorbic acid, oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and reduced glutathione (GSH)], and enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR), glutathioe reductase, and monodehydroasorbate reductase (MDHR)] activities involved in antioxidant metabolism, which could be associated with significant reduction in osmotic potential and the accumulation of superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, electrical leakage, and malondialdehyde in seeds under drought stress. The GABA-pretreated seeds exhibited significantly higher abundance of dehydrin (DHN, 56 KDa) and expression levels of DHNs encoding genes (SK2, Y2K, Y2SK, and Dehydrin b) and transcription factors (DREB2, DREB3, DREB4, and DREB5) than the untreated seeds during germination under water-limited condition. These results indicated that the GABA regulated improvement in seeds germination associated with enhancement in osmotic adjustment, antioxidant metabolism, and DREB-related DHNs expression. Current study will provide a better insight about the GABA-regulated defense mechanism during seeds germination under water-limited condition.

Salicylic acid improves seed germination through modulating antioxidant enzymes under salt stress in chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

An experiment was conducted to investigate the role of Antioxidant Enzymes (AOE) in Salicylic Acid (SA) induced salt-stress tolerance during chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seed germination at ICAR- Indian Institute of Seed Science, Mau during 2018. Results showed the differential germination performance of salt-sensitive (PG 186) and salt-tolerant (CSG 8962) chickpea cultivars under three levels (0, 75, 150 mM NaCl) of salt stresses. Salt stress adversely affected the seed germination and traits of early seedling establishment in PG 186 cultivar than in CSG 8962. Sand matrix priming (SMP) of seeds using SA @ 150 ppm improved the germination (up to 2 times) and other seed quality parameters in sensitive cultivar under higher (150 mM NaCl) salt-stress level. Further investigating the role of SA on modulating AOE, a negative influence of SA on major AOE (POX, CAT and GR) was observed in cotyledons of PG 186 genotype under high salt stress. However, the level of APX was observed to be constitutively higher in tolerant CSG 8962 chickpea genotype. The summary of results suggested that, SA alleviates oxidative stress through reducing major AOE in cotyledon to improve chickpea seed germination.

Silicon Seed Priming Combined with Foliar Spray of Sulfur Regulates Photosynthetic and Antioxidant Systems to Confer Drought Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.)

The present study evaluated the effect of silicon (Si) seed priming and sulfur (S) foliar spray on drought tolerance of two contrasting maize hybrids viz. drought tolerant Hi-Corn 11 and susceptible P-1574. The maize seeds were primed with (3 mM Na2SiO3) or without Si (hydropriming) and later sown in pots filled with sandy loam soil. Drought stress (25–30% water holding capacity or WHC) was initiated at cob development stage (V5) for two weeks, whereas the well-watered plants were grown at 65–70% WHC. On appearance of drought symptoms, foliar spray of S was done using 0.5% and 1.0% (NH4)2SO4, whereas water spray was used as a control. The drought-stressed plants were grown for further two weeks at 25–30% WHC before the final harvest. The results showed a marked effect of Si seed priming and foliar S spray on biomass, physiological and enzymatic processes as well as macronutrient concentrations of maize. In comparison to control, the highest increase in leaf relative water content (25%), chlorophyll a content (56%), carotenoids (26%), photosynthetic rate (64%), stomatal conductance (56%) and intercellular CO2 concentration (48%) was observed by Si seed priming + S foliar spray (Si + S) under water deficit conditions. Also, Si + S application stimulated the activity of catalase (45%), guaiacol peroxidase (38%) and superoxide dismutase (55%), and improved NPK concentrations (40–63%) under water limitations. Our results suggest that Si seed priming + foliar spray of S is more effective than the individual application of these nutrients to enhance drought tolerance in maize.

EFFECT OF PRIMING WITH SILVER FIR AND OREGANO ESSENTIAL OILS ON SEED GERMINATION AND VIGOUR OF SILENE SENDTNERI

UDK: 582.661.51:631.53.027]:547.913&#x0D; In order to investigate the effects of seed priming with silver fir and oregano essential oils on certain important seedling characteristic and seed vigour of interesting endemic and horticultural species Silene sendtneri, an experiment was conducted based on randomized completely design with three replications. Traits such as germination rate, water content, dry weight, vigour index and photosynthetic pigments were analysed. Results revealed that the seedlings obtained with priming seeds showed increased growth, water content, vigour and photosynthetic pigment contents but decreased germination rate and dry weight compared with that obtained with non-primed seeds. Analysis of seed priming effects had demonstrated even germination rate is smaller the seedling vigour is slightly higher especially with all oregano oil treatments. We suggest that oregano oil has a potential as a priming agent for improvement of seedling synchrony, although at lower rate of germination.

Automation of Seed Priming Technology for Enhanced Seed Vigour of Blackgram Seeds

Background: Seed priming technique involves soaking of seeds in priming agent to a point where germination related metabolic activities occur in the seeds followed by drying of imbibed seeds to original moisture to prevent the radical protrusion and facilitate storage of primed seed. Draining of priming agent and drying of large quantity of primed seeds is a laborious and time consuming process. The current study was aimed to standardize automation of seed priming process by utilizing house-hold top loading washing machine. Methods: The top loading washing machine referred to as Seed Priming Cabinet, contained a priming drum with provision for draining water. On completion of the soaking period, the ‘SPIN’ button was pressed by setting the duration of spin drying (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 min.). Then the seeds were removed from the drum of priming cabinet and subjected to shade drying so as to reach the original moisture content and evaluated for seed quality parameters. Result: The blackgram seed subjected to conventional hydropriming was compared with automatic seed priming for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 min. and observed that hydropriming and spin drying for 3 min. was found to be optimum and the per cent increase in germination recorded over control was 18.0 per cent thus suggesting that automation of seed priming technology can be recommended for enhanced seed vigour and crop productivity of blackgram.