Priming Techniques Research Articles

Effects of KNO3 Seed Priming and Fertilizer Management on Growth and Yield of Green Gram (Vigna radiata L.) in a Temperate Agro-climate

Green gram (Vigna radiate L) is one of the most important nutritive pulse crop. It is an excellent source of protein with high quality of lysine. Seed priming techniques are used to improve germination, to reduce the time between sowing and emergence and for uniform emergence in the main field, especially under adverse environment. Keeping in view the nutritive importance of green gram, an investigation was carried out to assess the effects of seed priming and nutrient management for higher yield in green gram at research farm of Division of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture Wadura SKUAST-K Sopore during kharief-2021&2022 and the experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with twelve treatments viz T0-Control,T1-Priming with 1% KNO3,T2-RFD,T3-RFD+ Priming with 1% KNO3,T4-1/2RFD,T5-1/2RFD+ Priming with 1% KNO3, T6-1/4RFD,T7-1/4RFD+ Priming with 1% KNO3,T8-1/2RFD+VAM,T9- 1/2RFD+VAM+ Priming with 1% KNO3,T10-1/4RFD+VAM and T11-1/4RFD+VAM+ Priming with 1% KNO3. Among the treatments studied in both years, highest number of pod cluster per plant (9.66 and 9.33), number of pods per cluster (18.33 and 19.00), number of seeds per pod (13.00 and 13.33), 1000 -seed weight (43.66& 44.50 g) and yield per hectare (12.83 &13.30 q) respectively were noticed with full recommended dose of fertilizer along with seed priming by 1% KNO3.

Improving seed germination: effect of stratification and dormancy-release priming in Lonicera insularis Nakai

Lonicera insularis Nakai is endemic plant predominantly distributed along the coastlines of Ulleung-do and Dok-do in South Korea, and is significant for medicinal and ornamental uses. However, previous studies reported that L. insularis seeds exhibit morphological dormancy (MD), causing them to germinate only at specific temperatures. Therefore, this study aimed to classify the dormancy type of L. insularis seeds, expand the germination temperature range, and confirm the industrial applicability through dormancy-release (DR) priming. The seeds of L. insularis exhibited no inhibition of water absorption by the seed coat, with 85.0% germination observed at 15°C, similar to the viability (84.0%). Initially, the initial seeds of L. insularis exhibited an embryo-to-seed (E:S) ratio of 0.24 during dispersal, which increased to 0.81 by day 18 at 15°C, indicating that the seeds exhibit MD with underdeveloped embryos. Treatments with GA3 and GA4 + 7 to overcome MD and expand the germination temperature range did not significantly enhance germination. However, seeds that grew embryos through stratification for 2 weeks at 15°C effectively expanded the germination temperature range. Additionally, DR-primed seeds maintained the expanded germination temperature range even after redrying, confirming the commercial potential of DR-primed seeds. Therefore, this study represents the first application of a novel approach to alleviate dormancy in L. insularis seeds through the integration of stratification and priming techniques, termed dormancy-release priming. This approach resulted in a significant increase in germination and expanded the effective temperature range for seed germination. These findings suggest that dormancy-release priming could be a valuable method for producing non-dormant seeds, enhancing the potential for L. insularis distribution and industrial applications.

Impact of different priming and sowing techniques in combination with different seed rates on wheat growth and yield

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple crop of immense economic importance, especially in the agronomic context of Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. Understanding the effects of various agronomic practices, such as priming techniques, sowing methods, and seed rates, on wheat yield and growth is crucial for optimizing production and ensuring regional food security. To study the effects of priming and sowing techniques in combination with seed rates on short (Israr Shaheed) and long (Gomal) duration, three experiments were conducted at the agronomic research site of Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, wheat varieties. In the first experiment, various priming techniques were used. Among different techniques used Farmyard manure priming produced the tallest plants at 111.3 and 125.3 cm, the maximum number of tillers (335.7 and 345.0 m-2), longest spikes (8.6 and 7.6 cm), maximum spikelets (27.2 and 31.0 spike-1), maximum number of grains (45.5 and 48.7 spike-1), maximum grain yield (4.4 and 4.6 t ha-1) and maximum harvest index (38.7 and 41.5%) respectively for Israr Shaheed and Gomal. Conversely, compost manure produced heavier grains than other interactions (49.2 and 42.3 g) while sodium chloride showed the maximum biological yield (12.4 and 11.8 t ha-1) for Israr Shaheed and Gomal correspondingly. In 2nd experiment, different sowing methods were tested on two wheat varieties Israr Shaheed and Gomal. Dry sowing followed by flooding produced tallest plants measuring (105.5 and 101.7 cm), maximum number of tillers (398.2 and 406.7 m-2), longest spikes (8.3 and 7.2 cm), maximum spikelets (29.8 and 35.5 spike-1), maximum number of grains (54.3 and 51.6 spike-1) and maximum grain yield (4.3 and 4.6 t ha-1) respectively for Israr Shaheed and Gomal. Israr Shaheed and Gomal showed maximum 1000-grain weights (45.3 and 45.0 g) in sprouted seeding in flooded fields respectively. The highest biological yield (13.6 t ha-1) was in dry seed in the flooded field while the maximum harvest index (33.5 and 33.9%) was recorded in soaked seed followed by flooding for Israr Shaheed and Gomal. In the last experiment, different seed rates were studied. The results showed that plants grown with seed rate 150 kg ha-1 showed the tallest plants at 111.0 and 111.7 cm, maximum number of tillers (411.6 and 408.2 m-2), longest spikes (7.8 and 7.7 cm), maximum spikelets (34.3 and 34.3 spike-1), maximum number of grains (50.8 and 47.2 spike-1), maximum grain yield (4.6 and 4.5 t ha-1) and maximum harvest index (38.4 and 36.7%) respectively for Israr Shaheed and Gomal. The maximum number of 1000-grains weight (g) was found on 200 and 250 kg ha-1 for Israr Shaheed and Goma-8, respectively giving 45.2 g while biological yield was the highest in 175 kg ha-1 respectively. Conclusively, the results indicated that yield and yield attributes in wheat were enhanced up to 150 kg ha-1 seed rate when interacted with farmyard manure priming along with dry sowing of seed followed by flooding. Future research should explore the integration of advanced irrigation techniques and nutrient management practices to further enhance wheat productivity in the Dera Ismail Khan region.

Review of Drought Stress and Seed Priming Effects on Upland Rice Yield and Longevity

Unequal plant stand and poor germination are major constraints in seeds under areas which receive erratic and low rainfall. Seed priming has emerged as a crucial strategy to enhance the biochemical, physiological, and ecological resilience of seeds and seedlings. Employing suitable priming methods at different developmental stages can significantly improve drought tolerance in plants. Research indicates that the primary factors leading to seed deterioration are the combined effects of low temperatures and moisture levels, which trigger abnormal biochemical and physiological responses. Seed priming techniques show promise due to their simplicity and adaptability in local agricultural practices. However, one of the challenges associated with primed seeds is their relatively short storage lifespan. This review aims to explore the biochemical, physiological, and molecular aspects of rice seed priming while proposing innovative techniques to extend seed longevity, improve stand establishment, and increase overall yield. Furthermore, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying seed priming can lead to the development of more effective priming protocols. This could ultimately contribute to sustainable agricultural practices in regions vulnerable to climate variability.

Optimizing germination dynamics in seven key industrial and medicinal hemp varieties through seed priming techniques: An initial study for hemp cultivation in Pakistan

Seed germination is crucial for studying factors influencing production conditions since it represents the initial physiological stage of the plant's life cycle. Hemp seeds are grown to obtain cannabinoids; however, these varieties, hybrids, and feminized seeds are costly in the market with low germination rates. Therefore, optimizing the germination of hemp seeds can play an important role in maintaining plant populations and crop establishment and can reduce seed costs. This study was aimed at evaluating the germination potential of seven hemp varieties/cultivars (Cannabis sativa L.) in response to priming with Indole Butyric Acid (IBA), moringa leaf crude extract, hydro-priming, and a control. Results showed that IBA at 1000 ppm significantly improved germination rates; while the hydro-priming exhibited the fastest germination across all varieties/cultivars. Two cultivars viz., Santhica-70 and Fedora-17 exhibited the highest germination percentages of 83% and 77%, respectively with IBA treatment; while CBD Pink Kush exhibited a germination rate of 63%. This study represents the first comprehensive investigation into seed germination and seedling growth of hemp varieties, offering insights into optimized priming agent selection for industrial and medicinal hemp crop cultivation in Pakistan, highlighting the importance of variety-specific traits and priming techniques for maximizing crop yield.

A review on seed priming to combat climate variability in agriculture

Global agriculture faces immense challenges due to climate change, which causes unpredictable weather patterns, decreased agricultural productivity, and decreased food security. Seed priming is critical in combating climate variability because it has emerged as a promising method for improving seed germination and agricultural resilience. This review evaluates the efficiency of several seed priming techniques, including hydro-priming, halo-priming, osmo-priming, bio-priming, chemical priming, and hormone priming. These techniques improve seedling vigor, stress tolerance, and overall crop yield. Seed priming increases germination rates and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, such as salinity and drought, while improving agricultural output and disease resistance. Seed priming reduces the demand for chemical pesticides and fertilizers by increasing soil quality and nutrient absorption, which supports sustainable agriculture. This review highlights the potential benefits of seed priming as a practical, affordable, and practical strategy to reduce the negative effects of climatic variability on agriculture. Future studies should focus on developing the best priming techniques for diverse crop varieties and conditions, as well as examining the combined impacts of various priming strategies. Seed priming will be crucial to preserving food security and agricultural sustainability in the face of ongoing climate change.

Can exogenous application of putrescine and priming modulate salinity stress in Camelina sativa L?

High salinity in soil significantly reduces growth and productivity; however, employing priming techniques and foliar spraying of putrescine can serve as an impressive method to reduce the impact of salt stress in saline soil. The current investigation intends to explore the effected of foliar spraying and priming methods on the growth, physiological, biochemical characteristics, and seed chemical compositions of salt-stressed Camelina sativa L. crop. A pot test was set up in a randomized complete block design by a factorial scheme with four replications. The experiment involved three factors: 1) salinity stress (0, 60, and 90 mM(, 2) priming techniques (no priming, hydro-priming, putrescine-priming (50 μmol L − 1), and 3) foliar application of putrescine at concentrations of 0, 100, and 200 μmol L−1. Camelina plants subjected to salinity stress showed decreased growth and performance, which correlated with lower chlorophyll levels, reduced photosynthesis maximum quantum efficiency, potassium concentration, and total soluble sugars and proline content. This decline was associated with increased lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde content), sodium concentration, and electrical leakage, leading to diminished antioxidant enzyme activities. In contrast, under salt stress (60 mM), priming with putrescine led to an increase in grain yield (45 %), chlorophyll content (43 %), shoot length (54 %), maximum quantum efficiency (16 %), Superoxide dismutase (49 %), Catalase (58 %), Ascorbate peroxidase (47 %), linoleic acid (20 %), linolenic acid (38 %), oleic acid (27 %), eicosanoic acid (13 %) and shoot K+ ion (50 %) compared with non-treated plants. The application of 100 μmol L−1 putrescine through foliar application elicited the efficiency of camelina plants with increasing proline content, total soluble sugars, and antioxidant enzyme activities against salinity stress. In addition, the putrescine-priming method could improve photosynthetic efficiency and antioxidant enzyme activity under salt stress levels. Overall, our results supply an important outlook for the use of foliar putrescine spraying and putrescine-priming in modulating salinity tolerance in camelina crops.

ENHANCING GERMINATION AND SEEDLING VIGOR IN NIGELLA SATIVA: THE IMPACT OF NANO IRON OXIDE AND PHOSPHORUS PRIMING

Nigella sativa, commonly known as black cumin, is known for its health benefits due to its rich content of compounds like thymoquinone. This study explored the effects of various seed priming methods on Nigella sativa seeds, including control (unprimed), distilled water, nano iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), phosphorus (P), and a combination of Fe₂O₃ and P. We assessed how these treatments influenced several key aspects of seed germination: germination rate (GR), mean germination time (MGT), germination index (GI), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), and vigor index (VI).Our results showed that seeds treated with Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles had the highest germination rate at 93.5% and germinated faster than seeds from other treatments. This suggests that Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles effectively speed up the germination process. However, despite the improved germination rate, the seeds treated with Fe₂O₃ did not exhibit the highest seedling vigor; the control seeds had the highest vigor index, indicating that while Fe₂O₃ accelerates germination, it does not enhance seedling health as much as the untreated seeds. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the germination index and coefficient of velocity of germination between the treatments, suggesting these parameters were less influenced by the priming methods.In summary, nano-priming with Fe₂O₃ is effective for speeding up seed germination but does not necessarily improve seedling vigor. These findings provide valuable insights into how different priming techniques can be optimized to enhance seed performance and plant growth under various conditions.

Visual letter similarity effects in Korean word recognition: The role of distinctive strokes.

While the impact of visual letter similarity on word recognition in the Latin script has been extensively documented using masked priming techniques, research into non-Latin scripts such as Hangul remains limited. Hangul letters are systematically formed by adding one or two strokes to the base form, creating a pool of visually similar letters in the inventory. This study investigated the role of added distinctive strokes in word recognition by employing two experimental tasks: a lexical decision task (Experiment 1) and a same-different word matching task (Experiment 2). The results of Experiment 1 revealed a visual similarity effect only for primes without distinctive strokes, indicating an asymmetry in the priming effects. Conversely, Experiment 2 showed that visually similar primes facilitated target word processing regardless of the presence of the distinctive stroke, indicating no asymmetric priming effect. These findings suggest initial uncertainty of letter identity during Korean word processing and the processing of distinctive strokes in differentiating visually similar words.

Priming techniques for sustainable Agro-Ecological system and abiotic stress mollification: A Review

Abiotic stress refers to the diverse range of environmental challenges that plants encounter. Environmental stressors such as salt, temperature, nutritional deprivation, and heavy metal toxicity can lead to problems in the functioning of seedling adaption systems. Furthermore, they can hinder the formation of plumules and radicles in seedlings, as well as their subsequent development and growth, both of which can lead to reduced crop production. Soil salinity poses a significant challenge to global food supply since salt stress dominates as a primary determinant constraining agricultural productivity. By the year 2050, it is projected that drought stress will result in a 50% reduction in global productivity. Multiple methodologies, including biotechnological approaches, conventional breeding methods, conservative breeding, agronomical approaches, and priming techniques, have shown effectiveness in reducing the negative impacts of abiotic stress and adapting to its severe conditions. The use of seed priming treatments regulates the production of antioxidants and promotes the accumulation of osmolytes to mitigate the negative consequences of various abiotic stress responses. When subjected to abiotic stress, crop plants cultivated from primed seeds respond rapidly at the cellular level. The major emphasis of this review is on the impact of abiotic stress on plant physiology and productivity, strategies for its management, and possible solutions. Furthermore, it explores several methods of priming, namely bio priming with PGPR, a biological technique that entails the introduction of bacteria.

Cogito meliorem! В поисках волшебных способов повысить креативность

<p style="text-align: justify;">This paper presents a systematical review of facilitation techniques for creativity in general and insight solutions in particular. The facilitation techniques are fairly diverse, therefore we grouped them into nine categories: rest, attention management, impact of emotions, adding new context, physical activity, interactivity, future-thought priming, metacognitive training, and unusual techniques for increasing creativity. Each category is provided by a brief description and a set of studies that demonstrate possibilities and limitations of the techniques as well as an analysis and comparison of the techniques with each other. At the conclusion, we present a model of levels of creative solution facilitation based on four classical psychological levels. According to this model, influence on the solution can be carried out (1) through conscious strategies for managing the solution through metacognition; due to changes occurring in (2) cognitive and (3) emotional-motivational processes; (4) indirectly, due to changes in the external environment. We made a general conclusion about the variety of techniques that influence the creativity process, and most of them combine several possible facilitation mechanisms, making each technique more effective and applicable to various types of creative tasks.</p>

Phenological and yield response of primed carrot (Daucus carota L) seeds under deficit irrigation

Seedling emergence and stand establishment of carrot seeds are often slow and erratic which results in low productivity. Poor seed quality together with lack of pre-sowing seed treatments and improper irrigation management can be mentioned as the major factors that influence the yield and productivity of carrot. The present study was carried out with the objective to evaluate the effects of different seed priming techniques on early seedling establishment, growth and yield of carrot (Daucus carota L. cultivated variety Nantes) exposed to different irrigation intervals, under field conditions at Gerado, South Wollo, Ethiopia. Four seed priming treatments (no priming, hydro priming, halo priming and hormonal priming) and three irrigation intervals (4, 7 and 10 days) were combined as factorial RCBD in split plot arrangement with three replications. The irrigation intervals were assigned to main plots and the seed priming techniques to sub plots. Result indicated that the interaction effects of priming techniques and irrigation intervals significantly affected the phenological and yield parameters. Distilled water treatment in seven and ten days irrigation interval recorded the highest marketable carrot root yields of 33.73 t h-1 and 30.63 t h-1, respectively. Hence, hydro priming and seven days irrigation interval can be recommended for the production of carrot in the study area and similar agro-ecologies. Given the promising results obtained, further repetitions of the study are recommended to validate the use of these techniques in further locations and in different seasons.

The application of seed priming agents in enhancing drought resilience of rice: a comprehensive review

Abstract Rice (Oryza sativa L.) serves as a staple food for over half of the world’s population, and its production is vital for global food security. However, the increasing demand for rice is threatened by the rising occurrence of drought stress, driven by erratic rainfall patterns attributed to unpredictable global climate. Drought stress can significantly affect rice at various growth stages, with seed germination being particularly vulnerable due to reduced water intake. Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), an alternative planting technology, offers water efficiency and cost savings but faces challenges like poor stand establishment. Seed priming, a technique that enhances seedling emergence and early growth, has proven to be a practical approach for improving rice tolerance under suboptimal conditions, including drought. The present article is intended to discuss (i) the mechanism and benefits of seed priming, (ii) seed priming techniques, potential agents, and effectiveness factors, (iii) the mechanism of seed priming to improve drought tolerance, (iv) challenges and opportunities, to promote the seed priming strategy as a future, cost-effective research tool to increase rice yield and productivity under drought stress.

Influence of seed priming in the germination and yield performances of common buckwheat

The study, conducted from November 2019 to March 2020 at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science in Rupandehi, Nepal, aimed to evaluate the effects of seed priming techniques on common buckwheat. The experiment comprised eleven treatments with three replications each. Germination parameters were analyzed in the laboratory using a complete block design, while growth and yield parameters were assessed in the field using a randomized complete block design. The results indicated significant improvements in all germination and yield parameters of buckwheat due to seed priming. Notably, the 48-hour hydropriming treatment exhibited the highest performance, yielding a germination percentage of 87.167%, a speed of germination of 66.62, a vigor index of 52.78, a grain yield of 1518.988 kgha-1, a test weight of 19.533 g, and a harvest index of 0.405. These findings suggest that priming seeds with water for 48 hours can effectively enhance the germination, growth, and yield attributes of common buckwheat.

Seed priming as a promising technique for sustainable restoration of dryland

The success of plant growth and development in dryland restoration relies on seed germination, seedling development, and establishment. The lack of rainfall and extreme temperature variations in arid regions impede germination and seedling establishment, necessitating new approaches and techniques. The present review summarizes the vital role of seed priming techniques for the sustainable restoration of drylands through their effects on enhancing seed germination, seedling growth and development, plants' nutrient use efficiency, soil fertility, essential enzymes, microbial community, and stress adaptation ability, helping to alleviate the effects of abiotic stresses on plants. The importance of seed priming is discussed in both agricultural and ecological restoration contexts. Priming maximizes crop yields, reduces crop failure, and promotes eco‐friendly farming practices. In ecological restoration, seed priming enhances plant establishment and survival, contributing significantly to the restoration of native vegetation and wildlife habitats. The review categorizes seed priming techniques into six subcategories, highlighting their unique advantages for optimizing restoration efforts. The review highlights the underlying mechanisms of seed priming techniques to improve seed germination and plant development in dryland regions, particularly under salinity and drought constraints. While seed priming has proven effective, it also faces several limitations, such as cost, seed longevity, and environmental concerns. Investigating environmentally friendly priming methods and understanding the prolonged effects of priming on seed viability and the environment is crucial. Further research is needed to find cost‐effective, eco‐friendly seed priming methods, and to explore the genetic and molecular bases of stress tolerance in various plant species across diverse environments.

Seed Priming with Poly-Gamma-Glutamic Acid (γ-PGA) Improves Rice Germination Performance under Drought Conditions

Drought poses a significant threat to global food security, particularly impacting rice cultivation during the germination stage. In this study, a soil-based system that utilizes soil moisture content was used to simulate optimal and stress conditions to assess the effect of the specific seed priming protocols on germination. Eleven rice varieties, representative of indica and japonica subspecies, grown in different ecosystems and having diverse nutrient contents, were treated with water or solutions of either poly-gamma-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) or denatured γ-PGA. Collected data regarding germinability and stress indices revealed different drought sensitivity between japonica and indica subspecies and genotype-specific responses to priming. Particularly, γ-PGA improved germination of highly susceptible indica varieties whereas water soaking was more effective for the moderately sensitive japonica varieties. Integrative analyses evidenced differences between biofortified and non-biofortified rice under γ-PGA treatment, suggesting a possible correlation between γ-PGA efficacy and Zn/Fe seed content. These findings underline that priming strategies should be tailored based on genotype and therefore this factor should be always taken under consideration for future works. The current study provides relevant information for optimizing seed priming techniques to sustain the development of drought-resilient crops as a sustainable strategy to address agricultural resilience and safeguard food security amidst environmental challenges.

Seed priming methods tested on Salvia officinalis L. germination according to BBCH scale

Seed dormancy is a major impediment for the production of Salvia officinalis L. (sage) seedlings. This study aims to test seed priming methods to break the dormancy of sage seeds in controlled conditions. Seeds were subjected to four treatments respectively hydropriming, magneto-priming, electro-priming and control with no seed priming techniques. During germination development stage all parameters were registered according to BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und CHemische Industrie) standardized scale. Daily assessments were made, germination indices were calculated, new germination secondary stages were observed and described, and daily range for each secondary stage were obtained. All priming methods had different effect on sage seeds. The hydropriming treatment was the most effective with 70% seeds germinated in 10 days. Sage seeds from magneto-priming determine more than 50% seeds to germinate in only 8 days. Control and electropriming treatment showed a similar value of seed germination, set around 64-65%. In control, electro- and hydropriming treatments are necessary 6 days for the achievement of more than 50% seed germination, while for magneto-priming are necessary 8 days. Hydropriming has the highest germination index, significantly higher than control and magneto-priming. During the germination, hydropriming shows a gradual transition of seeds from one BBCH sub-stage to another, while electro- and magneto-priming induce a heterogenous variation through the entire process. Overall, the hydropriming treatment registered better results of sage germination compared to the control treatment.

Beyond self-report measures of arousal: A new priming task to capture activation of relaxing and energizing feelings elicited by odors

The Olfactory Priming Task (OPT) is a new implicit measure developed to capture associations between odors and feeling-related words that was inspired by previous priming techniques. Participants are presented with feeling-related words and asked to categorize them as “relaxing” or “energizing” as quickly and accurately as possible, while supposedly relaxing or stimulating odors are delivered as a prime. Accuracy and response times are recorded, and participants are expected to react faster and more accurately with feeling-related words that are congruent with the primed odor. We validated the OPT in two experiments with the use of menthol/vanillin and fine fragrances, respectively. Results indicated that the OPT could discriminate odors from their relaxing/energizing properties, with participants showing faster responses to energizing-related words after priming with menthol or “Perfume 1” and to relaxing-related words after priming with vanillin or “Perfume 2.” These associations were further confirmed by subjective reports, with participants rating menthol and Perfume 1 as more energizing and vanillin and Perfume 2 as more relaxing. The results suggest that exposure to relaxing/energizing odors activates congruent feelings in consumers. The results also demonstrate the validity and reliability of the OPT as an implicit measure for capturing associations between odors and feeling-related words, making it a valuable tool for measuring consumers' affective response to flavors and fragrances.

Bio-Priming of Seed with Trichoderma sp. and Bacillus sp. Leads to Improved Morpho-Physiological Parameters Related to Drought Tolerance in Maize

Maize (Zea mays L.) holds an important position as a major grain crop in Pakistan flourishing across a diverse range of environmental conditions. The maize crop encounters various severe abiotic challenges with drought being the most concerning factor leading to diminished plant growth and yield. Seed priming a well-established and widely adopted technique serves as an effective mechanism to alleviate drought stress ultimately boosting both growth and grain yield. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of diverse seed priming methods on the growth and development of maize plants. Additionally, the study sought to assess the potential of various seed priming techniques in mitigating drought stress in maize. A pot experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design under natural conditions. The aim was to scrutinize the influence of different priming agents on morpho-physiological traits associated with water deficit conditions in maize. The gathered data underwent ANOVA analysis revealing variations in all parameters for both maize varieties at a 5% probability level. Specifically, the Pak-Afgoi variety displayed notable responsiveness to the seed priming approach in alleviating drought stress in maize. Furthermore, the findings underscored the evident and substantial impact of seed priming on both maize varieties across a range of studied characteristics under drought stress conditions. In conclusion, the present study suggests that seed priming holds the potential to enhance drought tolerance in maize.

Testing seed germination from herbaria: Application of seed quality enhancement techniques and implication for plant resurrection and conservation

AbstractHerbaria are an important source of data and material useful in many fields, including plant conservation. Seeds preserved in herbarium specimens may have the potential to germinate, although few studies focused on this topic. Here, the first systematic assessment of six techniques, including priming techniques and melatonin application, aimed at improving the germination of seeds from herbarium specimens is presented. Seed germination of 26 species common in Europe, some of which congeneric to extinct species, collected in herbaria and in the wild (20,549 seeds in total, including 19,509 from 297 herbarium specimens from 8 different herbaria) was tested with the following treatments: exogenous melatonin addition to the germination medium, priming with melatonin, osmopriming, hydropriming for 24 and 48 hours, standard soil, heat sterilization and gibberellins addition. More than 85% of the fresh seeds and 1% of the seeds collected in herbaria germinated, including seeds older than 50 years. Data show that treatment with exogenous melatonin had a positive effect on the germination of fresh seeds, but a negative effect on the germination of herbarium‐derived seeds. Furthermore, osmopriming treatment had a slightly positive effect on the germination of herbarium‐derived seeds. Osmopriming and exogenous melatonin addition seem to be promising techniques that need further investigation and improvement and might be useful for the development of an optimal germination protocol for old and herbarium‐derived seeds. The germination of seeds from herbaria could be an important tool in plant conservation, with the aim of reversing the extinction trend of many species through de‐extinction, safeguarding biodiversity, and genetic variability. This study provides preliminary data for the development of germination protocols, especially for old seeds of species of conservation interest, to maximise the chance of recovering lost genetic diversity and leading to the first de‐extinction ever.