Seed Priming Methods Research Articles

Effects of seed priming methods on germination and seedling development of winter maize (Zea mays L.)

Successful establishment of plants largely depends on successful germination. This study examined the effects of different methods of seed priming on germination percentage, germination index, time of 50 per cent emergence, mean germination time, root and shoot length, dry weight of seedling and vigour index of maize. The experiment was conducted in the laboratory of Department of Agronomy, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) during 2013-14 using Completely Randomized Design with three replications. All growth and developmental parameters of maize seed were positively responded with seed priming in comparison to unprimed treatment. Bio-priming of maize seed for 24 hours showed the highest positive effect on all the parameters and recorded significantly highest values of germination percentage (93.11), germination index (29.84), root length (22.73 cm), shootlength(19.67), seedling dry weight (1.56 g) as well as seedling vigour index (3947.49). The level of T 50 (1.51 days) and MGT (2.14 days) were the lowest due to bio-priming for 24 hours in comparison to other priming treatments.

Exogenous 5-Aminolevulenic Acid Promotes Antioxidative Defence System, Photosynthesis and Growth in Soybean against Cold Stress

In the present study, the possibility of enhancing cold stress tolerance of young soybean plants (Glycine max [L.] Merr) by exogenous application of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) was investigated. ALA was applied at various concentrations (0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 mM) by seed priming and foliar application method. After ALA treatment, the plants were subjected to cold stress at 10 ± 0.5 °C for 72 h. Cold stress significantly decreased plant growth, relative water content, chlorophyll, photosynthesis and stomatal conductivity, while it increased electrolyte leakage and proline accumulation. ALA at low concentrations (0.3 mM) protected plants against cold stress, enhancing plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, stomatal conductivity as well as relative water content. Increase of electrolyte leakage was also prevented by 0.6 mM ALA. ALA also enhanced superoxide dismutase and catalase activities at 0.6 mM concentration especially under cold stress conditions. Proline increased with increasing in ALA concentration under both temperature conditions. In most cases, application of ALA by spraying method was better than seed priming method. Results showed that ALA, which is considered as an endogenous plant growth regulator, can be used effectively to protect soybean plants from the damaging effects of cold stress, by enhancing the activity of antioxidative enzymes, protecting cell membrane against reactive oxygen species and finally by promoting chlorophyll synthesis, leading to more intense photosynthesis and more carbon fixation, without any adverse effect on the plant growth.

Response of Cichorium intybus L. to eight seed priming methods under osmotic stress conditions

Abstract Poor germination and seedling establishment are major problems in arid and semi-arid environments, and these characteristics are considered to be important factors in later plant growth and yield. Laboratory experiments were conducted on Chicory ( Cichorium intybus L.) seeds to investigate the effects of eight seed priming methods, including hydropriming, low temperature, scarification, urea, KNO 3 , KCl, NaCl and ascorbic acid on germination percentage, seedling and radicle length, fresh weight and the activity of 4 antioxidant enzymes. The responses of primed and unprimed chicory seeds were determined under PEG 6000 induced water stress (−1.5 MPa) and non-stress conditions. Germination and seedling growth components were measured 7 days after seeds were placed in Petri dishes. Water stress significantly decreased germination and seedling growth while different priming methods positively affected germination percentage and primary seedling growth under control and water stress condition, both. The highest germination percentage and the best primary seedling growth were achieved in ascorbic acid priming treatment followed by KCl treatment. Water stress increased catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activity and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) while the activity of ascorbic peroxidase (ASP) did not affect significantly. Different priming methods affected antioxidant enzymes activity differently. The result of correlation analysis showed that under control conditions, seedling productivity (seedling weight) had negative and significant correlation with activity of CAT and POD. Almost all seed treatments in this study gave better performance than control (untreated) with clear effectiveness of ascorbic acid treatment in improving the germination percentage (100%) and early seedling growth. It also increased tolerance of seeds to water stress and that ascorbic acid is an effective tool to impart water stress tolerance in C. intybus .

Priming-induced antioxidative responses in two wheat cultivars under saline stress

Wheat, a glycophyte grown in tropical and subtropical regions, is frequently being subjected to soil salinity ultimately affecting the plant growth and yield. Focus of the present study was to evaluate the ameliorative efficiency of different seed priming methods including hydropriming and halopriming [KCl and CaCl2 (100 mM)] by observing change in the expression of antioxidant defense system and accumulation of phenolic as well as proline in the spring wheat Lu26s (salt tolerant) and Lasani-06 (salt sensitive), grown under salt stress of 100 mM NaCl. Results showed that salt stress provoked a marked decline in germination, growth and yield parameters as well as increased lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents. However, higher accumulation of proline and low H2O2 contents were recorded in both cultivars under halopriming followed by hydropriming. Halopriming induced a significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, POD, APX) of salt-tolerant cultivar Lu26s, whereas such pattern of enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes in cultivar Lasani-06 was also found but the content of these activities was less than control under saline regime. The cultivar Lu26s (salt tolerant) maintained lower Na+ and higher K+/Na+ ratio in leaves than salt-sensitive cultivar Lasani-06. Reason behind the loss of grain yield under salinity was found due to the reduction in the grain spike−1 in cultivar Lasani-06, while, in cultivar Lu26s, it was due to decrease in the size of grains. Enhanced germination, low proline and Na+ contents stimulated antioxidant activities as well as phenolic contents associated with improved salt tolerance in haloprimed plants. These results suggest that halopriming is an efficient approach for imparting tolerance in wheat against salinity stress.

The productivity of Brassica rapa var. yellow sarson as influenced by integrated nutrient management practices and seed priming in Eastern Indian sub-Himalayan plains

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2007-08 to 2008-09 at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar situated at sub-Himalayan plains popularly known as terai region of West Bengal, India to study the productivity of yellow sarson under different nutrient management practices and seed priming methods. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with eight nutrient management practices and three seed priming methods. The results showed marked improvement in yield components, productivity and economics of yellow sarson due to integrated nutrient management and seed priming methods. Significantly highest seed yield (1374 kg ha-1) was recorded with combination comprising FYM + Azotobacter + PSB and 75% of the recommended fertilizers. The integrated nutrient management practice also had greater impact in production economics, sustenance in soil fertility and enrichment of soil nutrients. The crop receiving plant nutrients only from chemical sources showed poor productivity leading to less remuneration. Higher seed oil content (41.8% and 42.2%) was obtained with the application of 100% of the recommended dose (60:30:30 kg N:P2O5:K2O kg ha-1) along with sulphur (20 kg ha-1) but the oil yield was not impressive due to poor seed yield. Pre-sowing soaking of seeds with 100 ppm KH2PO4 also showed improvement in yield components, productivity and oil yield of the yellow sarson crop compared to seeds soaked with 100 ppm Na2HPO4 and water. Net returns and return/rupee invested were higher when the yellow sarson seeds were soaked with 100 ppm KH2PO4 over the other soaking methods. Variations in residual fertility were not discernible due to seed soaking. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sja.v12i1.21117 SAARC J. Agri., 12(1): 106-116 (2014)

한국잔디 종자의 발아특성과 발아율 향상을 위한 다양한 전처리 방법의 비교

Zoysiagrass seeds had low germination or lack of germination uniformity under natural condition. To improve the final germination percentage of zoysiagrass seeds, we investigated the methods of proper pre-treatment to enhance germination rate of zoysiagrass. Seeds were subjected to the testa scarification and four types of seed priming methods, namely, hydro priming (distilled water), osmotic priming (polyethylene glycol -0.5 MPa, -1.0MPa, -2.0 MPa), halo priming (Potassium nitrate 100 mM, 200 mM, 400 mM), and solid matrix priming (seed : microcel-E : distilled water = 4:1:8) with and without 25% KOH treatment in the testa. The scarification improved the germination rate and reduced the germination time. Osmotic priming (PEG -0.5 MPa) with scarification were significantly increased the seed germination rate and decreased MGT, and T 50 . Seed germination rate obtained by osmotic priming (PEG -0.5MPa) with scarification increased above 60% in comparison with natural condition. Conclusively, scarified and primed zoysiagrass seed germinated more rapidly and uniformly in the study. The present results suggested that PEG priming treatment with KOH treatment prior to sowing could improve germination percentage, and this method makes us establish the early zoysiagrasses in the field.

Effect of seed priming with various concentrations of KNO3on sunflower seed germination parameters inin vitrodrought conditions

Seed priming is technique for controlled seed hydratation which allows activation of pre-germinative metabolic processes. It has been successfully used for improving germination parameters in different crops. The study was conducted in 2012, at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia, in order to assess the effect of seed priming on four germination parameters (germination, germination index, mean germination time and time to 50% germination) of sunflower in in vitro drought conditions. Drought conditions (−0.8 MPa) were simulated using PEG 6000. Seed priming was conducted with soaking seed in water and different KNO3 solutions (0.1, 0.5 and 1%) for 12 h. Seed priming treatment with 0.1% KNO3 showed the best results and improved germination parameters: germination index, mean germination time and time to 50% germination of untreated seed (control). Seed priming showed no improvement in germination percentage in comparison to the control. Control had high germination (98%) and there was no possibility for its significant improvement with seed priming. This study showed that seed priming could improve some germination parameters of sunflower seed in in vitro drought conditions. Seed priming could be used as a simple method for overcoming problems related to a poor germination and seedling establishment in soil drought conditions. Main advantages of seed priming method are its simplicity and no requirements for expensive equipment and chemicals.

Comparison of various seed priming methods for seed germination, seedling vigour and fruit yield in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Seed priming is a method which is potentially able to promote rapid and more uniform seed germination and plant growth. In this study the presowing effects of seed priming treatments on some physiological viz. seed germination, mean germination time, seedling vigour and vigour index and biochemical parameters viz. seed viability, electrical conductivity of seed leachates, lipid peroxidation, dehydrogenase activity, antioxidant enzymes, reserve mobilising enzymes and field performance of okra were investigated. Seeds were subjected to four seed priming methods, namely, hydropriming, osmopriming, halopriming and solid matrix (SM) priming comprising a total of 19 treatments of different priming combinations (P1–P18) along with control (P0). Hydropriming for 12h and SM priming with calcium aluminium silicate (1:0.4:1; Seed:SM:Water) for 24h significantly increased the seed germination, seedling vigour, mean germination time and marketable fruit yield in okra cv. Hisar Unnat. Hydropriming, being simple, economical and safe, is recommended which can be effective to increase the fruit yield up to 55% as compared to control.

Seed priming for abiotic stress tolerance: an overview

Plants are exposed to any number of potentially adverse environmental conditions such as water deficit, high salinity, extreme temperature, submergence, etc. These abiotic stresses adversely affect the plant growth and productivity. Nowadays various strategies are employed to generate plants that can withstand these stresses. In recent years, seed priming has been developed as an indispensable method to produce tolerant plants against various stresses. Seed priming is the induction of a particular physiological state in plants by the treatment of natural and synthetic compounds to the seeds before germination. In plant defense, priming is defined as a physiological process by which a plant prepares to respond to imminent abiotic stress more quickly or aggressively. Moreover, plants raised from primed seeds showed sturdy and quick cellular defense response against abiotic stresses. Priming for enhanced resistance to abiotic stress obviously is operating via various pathways involved in different metabolic processes. The seedlings emerging from primed seeds showed early and uniform germination. Moreover, the overall growth of plants is enhanced due to the seed-priming treatments. The main objective of this review is to provide an overview of various crops in which seed priming is practiced and about various seed-priming methods and its effects.

The Effects of Source of Priming and Post-priming Storage Duration on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth Characteristics in Wheat (Triticum aestivem L.)

This study was designed to investigate the effects of seed storing after priming on germination of two wheat cultivars (Cross Alborz and Sardari). The study consisted of five experiments. In experiments 1- 4 we tested seed priming with distilled water (hydro priming), potassium nitrate (KNO3), gibberellin (GA3), PEG-6000 (osmopriming) in different concentrations (50, 100 150 and 200 ppm for GA3) and (1%, 2%, 3% and 4% for KNO3) and times (12, 18, 24 and 30 hours). Germination tests were subsequently performed on all above mentioned seed priming methods. The best treatment (time and concentration of media) which emanated from experiments 1-4 was considered for experiment 5. In experiment 5, we tested the effects of storing duration after seed priming (0, 30, 45 and 60 days) on germination characteristics of wheat. Maximum stem and radicle length, stem and radicle dry weight and speed of germination in cv. Cross Alborz and cv. Sardari were observed in priming treatments when the seeds primed by GA3 50 ppm for 24h, KNO3 1% for 24h, hydropriming 12h and osmopriming 12h.The results showed that storing of primed seeds improved shoot and radicle length, shoot and radicle dry weight, germination percentage and speed of germination.

Effect of Seed Priming Method on Agronomic Performance and Cost Effectiveness of Rainfed, Dry-seeded NERICA Rice

Effect of Seed Priming Method on Agronomic Performance and Cost Effectiveness of Rainfed, Dry-seeded NERICA Rice

Biological Control of Chickpea Collar Rot by Co-inoculation of Antagonistic Bacteria and Compatible Rhizobia

Two hundred and seven bacteria were isolated from composts and macrofauna and screened for plant growth promoting and antagonistic traits. Seven of the 207 isolates showed antagonistic activity against Sclerotium rolfsii in plate culture. Inhibition of S. rolfsii by the bacterial isolates ranged between 61 and 84%. Two of the seven isolates were Bacillus sp. and rest belonged to Pseudomonas sp. Two isolates, Pseudomonas sp. CDB 35 and Pseudomonas sp. BWB 21 was compatible with chickpea Rhizobium sp. IC 59 and IC 76 in plate culture conditions. Increase in plant biomass (dry weight) ranged between 18 and 30% on application of these bacteria by seed coating and seed priming methods. However, by seed-priming there was an increase in plant biomass by 5-7% compared to seed coating. Number of nodules and the nodule weight was similar by both seed coating and seed priming methods. Disease incidence was reduced up to 47% in treatments where captan (fungicide) or antagonistic Pseudomonas sp. CDB 35 was applied. Increase in shoot weight was 36% by seed coating with Rhizobium sp. IC 59 and Pseudomonas sp. CDB 35 when compared to captan application. Whereas by seed priming with IC 59 and CDB 35 increased shoot weight by 3 and 39% increase in nodulation was observed.

Comparative evaluation of hydro-, chemo- , and hormonal-priming methods for imparting salt and PEG stress tolerance in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of different seed priming methods to enhance the sodium chloride (NaCl) and polyethylene glycol-8000 (PEG-8000) stress tolerance in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.). Seeds subjected to different priming treatments such as water (hydro-priming), calcium chloride (CaCl2) (chemo-priming), and abscisic acid (ABA) (hormonal-priming) showed increased rate of germination as compared to non-primed seeds. The primed and non-primed seeds were grown for 15 days and then the seedlings were independently subjected to iso-osmotic salt (150 mM NaCl) or PEG-8000 (20%) stress. The different biochemical responses were studied 10 days after treatment. Under NaCl and PEG stress, the dry weight and total chlorophyll content were higher in primed sets as compared to non-primed treatment which was also evident by the phenotype of the seedlings. In general, the higher activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase resulted in lower oxidative damage, in terms of malondialdehyde content, under NaCl and PEG stress in hydro-primed set as compared to non-primed, ABA-, and CaCl2-primed treatments. Besides, the level of total phenolics and accumulation of osmolytes such as free proline, glycine betaine, and total soluble sugars was also lower in hydro-primed set as compared to other primed and non-primed treatments. The study thus suggests the use of hydro-priming as a simple and cost-effective strategy to alleviate the NaCl and PEG induced stress in B. juncea.

Evaluation of seed priming methods to improve seed performance of tomato (Lycoperison esculentum), egg plant (Solanum melongena) and chilli (Capsicum annum)

Evaluation of seed priming methods to improve seed performance of tomato (Lycoperison esculentum), egg plant (Solanum melongena) and chilli (Capsicum annum)

Herbivory, Seed Priming, and Tillage Systems: Impacts on the Growth Response of Pisum sativum L.

Field experiments were conducted to determine the effects of herbivory, seed priming, and tillage practices on the growth response of Pisum sativum L. A factorial treatment design incorporated two levels of tillage treatment (moldboard and chisel plow), three levels of seed priming [Captan, PEG (polyethylene glycol) 8000, and Captan+PEG 8000], and four levels of herbivory by Sitona lineatus (L.) (caged controls, uncaged controls, 1 weevil/plant, and 8 weevils/plant). Pisum sativum stands at approximately 75% emergence were infested for 1 wk. Sitona lineatus infestations resulted in defoliation of approximately 5, 25, and 55% for the control, low, and high weevil densities, respectively. Conservation tillage led to increased surface residue but did not affect soil moisture, temperature, or compensatory growth response of P. sativum. Seed priming treatments, incorporating PEG, led to an undercompensatory growth response of P. sativum, as did high levels of S. lineatus defoliation. Improved seed priming methods that promote vigorous seedling growth may help minimize the impacts of S. lineatus and suboptimal soil conditions on P. sativum.