Seed Priming Treatments Research Articles

Effect of uniconazole to soybean seed priming treatment under drought stress at VC stage

Studying the mechanism of drought stress in soybean root at vegetative cotyledon (VC) stage by soaking seeds with uniconazole revealed new insights into soybean stress physiology. Therefore, a completely random pot experiments with different time gradients for water cut-off (24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h, respectively) were carried out with uniconazole (0.4 mgL−1) with respect to morphological, microscopic, ultramicroscopic, physiological, and molecular studies on varieties Hefeng55 (H50, drought tolerant variety) and Kenfeng16 (K16, drought susceptible variety). Results revealed that uniconazole effectively alleviated the inhibition on root growth caused by drought stress, increased the number of root tips, significantly reduced lignification of vessels, alleviated the damage of mitochondria and nucleus caused by drought stress, further strengthened osmotic adjustment system and antioxidant system, especially when the soil moisture content was less than 14%, broke expression restriction of IAA due to drought stress, and inhibited GA3 generation; finally, we found that high-intensity drought stress significantly increased the expression levels of GmNAC003, GmNAC004, GmNAC015, GmNAC020, GmHK07, GmRR01, GmRR02 and GmRR16 genes relating to drought tolerance, while uniconazole had a significant inhibitory effect on GmNAC003, GmNAC004, GmNAC015, GmNAC020, GmRR01, GmRR02 and GmRR16 genes. Our results provided a reference for the mechanism of drought resistance in legume and the effect of uniconazole on alleviating drought stress.

Effect of Invigoration Treatment of Different Soaking Periods on Germination Performance of Bottle Gourd Seeds

This present experiment was conducted in a Seed Testing laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding SHUATS, Allahabad, UP during 2021 with bottle gourd, in order to standardize the best method of invigoration of priming specific to bottle gourd. method of priming viz., halopriming were evaluated by screening a different range of durations and chemical concentrations viz., T0 – Unprimed seeds (control), T₁ - 50 ppm KNO3 (Potassium Nitrate) for 12 hrs, T₂ - 50 ppm KNO3 for 18 hrs, T₃-100 ppm KNO3 for 12 hrs, T₄- 100 ppm KNO3 for 18 hrs, T₅-125 ppm KNO3 for 12 hrs, T₆- 125 ppm KNO3 for 18 hrs. Treated seeds were placed in between germination paper and in sand at control condition where data was subjected to factorial experiment laid out in completely randomised design (CRD). In which it was found that 6th treatment 125 ppm KNO3 for 18 hrs., has the significant result as compared to all the treatments with the control, the highest germination %, seedling length, weight and vigor index I & II. This study showed that Seed priming with KNO3 found to increase the seed quality parameters. In the present study proved market price- effective and most economical method. This study helps to improve the quality and performance of seeds with the help of seed priming treatments which have effect on market price and economic, non-toxic, eco-friendly sources.

Seed priming improves Salvia hispanica L. seed performance under salt stress

Salvia hispanica L. is an alternative crop cultivated by farmers who want to diversify their production. However, this species is sensitive to salinity, which affects its germination negatively. Seed priming with different attenuators is a technique with potential to mitigate the effects of salt stress. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of seed priming with the use of different attenuators on the germination, growth, and organic solute accumulation of S. hispanica seedlings under salt stress. The experimental design was completely randomized, with treatments distributed in a 4 × 5 factorial scheme, corresponding to four seed priming treatments and five osmotic potentials, with four replicates of 50 seeds in each treatment. The seed treatments consisted of presoaking seeds for 4h in salicylic acid, gibberellic acid, and distilled water and the control treatment, which did not involve soaking. These seeds were germinated at osmotic potentials of 0.0, -0.1, -0.2, -0.3, and -0.4 MPa, using NaCl as an osmotic agent to simulate the different salinity levels. Among all the treatments implemented, S. hispanica seed priming with salicylic acid was the most efficient in mitigating the salt stress effects.

Comparative evaluation of cocoa seeds germination in local variety Gantarangkeke Bantaeng (GTB) with MCC 01 variety using seed priming treatment

Gantarangkeke Bantaeng (GTB) variety seed is a type of local seed that has experienced a decline in its existence due to the emergence of superior seed types such as the MCC 01 variety resulting in low local cocoa production due to the lack of use of GTB seeds in South Sulawesi. One of the causes of low seeds capability is the lack of special treatment given to seeds which refers to the inhibition of germination of cultivated cocoa seeds. Seed priming is a treatment of soaking seeds with microbes to improve the quality of seeds germination. This study aims to compare the germination of local varieties of cocoa seeds GTB with varieties MCC 01 using Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) seed priming treatment. This study employed a randomized block design (RBD). Two cocoa seed varieties used as the first factor consisted of local GTB and MCC 01, while the seed priming treatment as the second factor consisted of PGPR concentrations of 0% (control), 5%, 10%, and 15%. The results indicate that the seed priming treatment affected the germination of two cocoa varieties seeds which included the parameters of MCC 01 seeds germination and the growth speed which was higher than local GTB seeds, 100.00% and 7.14%/etmal, respectively. Abnormal seedlings in local GTB variety were higher than MCC 01 seeds (10.00%). It can be concluded that the seed priming treatment of cocoa seeds has a high effect on seed germination of the MCC 01 variety compared to the local variety GTB.

Hydro- and Osmo-priming Effects on Upland Rice Exposed to Drought Conditions at Vegetative and Reproductive Stages

Drought stress during vegetative and/or generative stages could cause massive reduction in rice yield. This study evaluated effectiveness of hydro- and osmo-priming on improving seed germination, growth and development of upland rice under drought stress during late vegetative, booting, or heading stage. Treatments consisted of hydro-priming and osmo-priming consisted of three polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentrations i.e. 10%, 15%, and 20%. Results showed that application of osmo-priming at 10% PEG required longer time (21.93 hours) to reach 50% germination, lower germination and lower vigor index. However, after germination, seeds primed with 10% PEG exhibited better seedling growth than other seed priming treatments. Effects of seed priming on yield components were overshadowed by drought exposures. Drought imposed during vegetative stage did not significantly affect yield; however, regardless of seed priming treatments, yield reduction was inevitable in rice plants exposed to drought during booting or heading stages. Rice plant shortened time to reached physiological maturity as an adaptive mechanism if drought treatment was applied during heading stage. Keywords: Germination, Polyethylene glycol, Seedling growth, Seed priming, Yield component

The Effects of Some Seed Priming Treatments on Germination and Seedling Development in Wheat

Drought stress has negative effects on plant metabolism and growth. Seed priming is one of the ways used to strengthen crop plants at the seed stage against drought stress. In this study, the physiological effects of seed priming (1, 12, 24, and 48 hours) and foliar treatments of H2O2 (50  M) and GR24 (20  M) on 21 day old wheat seedlings (drought sensitive Triticum aestivum cv. 95 and drought tolerant cv. Tosunbey) were studied. The plant samples were used to determine the total chlorophyll content, total protein amount, root and stem length, seedling weight, and specific leaf area. Our results showed that only GR24 increased growth in the Tosunbey variety with seed priming. On the other hand, foliar GR24 was effective in both varieties against the detrimental effect of PEG induced osmotic stress, while foliar H2O2 treatment was effective only in the Tosunbey variety. Generally, it has been determined that the GR24 application supports the growth in both varieties, while the H2O2 treatment increases the growth only in drought tolerant wheat variety. Keywords: Wheat, Drought stress, Seed priming, GR24, H2O2, germination, growth. DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/7-05-01

Seed priming with zinc improves field performance of maize hybrids grown on calcareous chernozem

Delivery of micronutrients to plants through seed priming improves seedling vigour and increases crops yields. Two-year filed trial was conducted in Pančevo, Serbia, with aim to study the effect of seed priming with zinc (Zn) on field performance of three maize hybrids on calcareous chernozem deficient in plant available Zn. Seed priming treatments were: control (without priming), water priming and priming with 4 mM zinc sulphate water solution. Seed priming had significant effect on early plant growth, plant height, yield components, grain yield and grain Zn concentration. Zn-priming promoted plant growth and increased final plant height. Across two growing seasons with contrasting precipitation and three tested maize hybrids, Zn-priming resulted in an average increase of grain yield by about 18% compared to control, and by about 8.4% compared to water priming. A significant relationship between plant growth parameters, grain yield components and grain yield was detected. Grain Zn concentration was increased by Zn-priming in two hybrids in the season with less precipitation and in one hybrid in the second season. The results imply that using the seeds with elevated Zn content can improve overall field performance of maize grown on calcareous chernozem. Highlights - Seed priming with Zn resulted in an average increase of maize grain yield by about 18% compared to control, and by about 8.4% compared to water priming. - Zn-priming promoted plant growth and increased final plant height of three maize hybrids. - Overall experiment plant growth parameters were correlated with grain yield components and grain yield.- Overall effect of seed priming on grain Zn concentration was significant, but it was increased by Zn-priming in two hybrids. - Using the seeds with elevated Zn content can improve overall field performance of maize grown on calcareous chernozem.

Studying the Effect of Different Fertilizers Types and Methods of Application on Nodulation, Growth and Yield of Some Chickpea Varieties Under Rainfed Conditions

This experiment was conducted in Sharya-Duhok area, Iraqi Kurdistan region under rainfed conditions during the season of 2018-2019 to study the nodulation status, growth and yield performance of two local varieties of chickpea (Shamy and Marakshy) in relation to three different fertilizers types and methods of application i.e. bio fertilizer (Corabac G) and seed priming in super phosphate 2% and Diammonium phosphate (DAP) in addition to control treatment. The experiment was designed by Randomized complete block design with four replications. The results clearly showed significant reduction in both number and dry weight of nodules per plant in fertilizer treatment as compared to untreated (control treatment), except seed priming in super phosphate 2% as it significantly enhanced the nodule dry weight displaying non responding of chickpea to soil fertilization in regards of nodules development. However the final seedyield was not significant in the study, but its highly correlated to the above ground biomass (r =0.74**) and number of seeds per plant (r = 0.33*); Shamy variety of chickpea was superior in number of branches, number of pods and seeds per plant, while the Marakshy variety was superior in the plant height, height of lowest pod, and weight of seeds. Regarding fertilizers treatments effects, both seed priming in super phosphate and DAP fertilizer treatments were significantly surpassed in number of branches, pods and seeds per plant. Shamy variety performed better in number of branches and seeds per plant with DAP fertilizer, while Marakshy produced the same traits better in seed priming treatment. Bio-fertilizer (Corabac G) was inferior in most of the studied traits of chickpea. Accordingly, the obtained results conclude that the nodulation in chickpea not respond to the soil application of fertilizers, while positively to seed treatment (priming). The results also suggest both method of fertilization (DAP and seed priming) for improving yield related componets, but Corabac G bio fertilizer is not recommended under similar conditions.

Seed Priming with Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) Modulates Seed Germination and Early Growth of Maize Under Cadmium (Cd) Toxicity

Application of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) could have promotive effects on crop plants; however, their effects on seed germination and early growth of maize under cadmium (Cd) stress have rarely been investigated. A pot experiment was conducted with two maize varieties, Yuebaitiannuo7 and Yuecainuo2, grown under three Cd levels, i.e., 0, 100, and 200 mg L−1 (denoted as Cd0, Cd100, and Cd200, respectively) and three MWCNT levels, i.e., 0, 100, and 200 mg L−1 (denoted as M0, M100, and M200, respectively) as seed priming treatments to assess the MWCNT-induced modulations in seed germination rate, seedling growth, and related physio-biochemical attributes under Cd stress. Yuebaitiannuo7 showed higher seed germination rate and less root and shoot growth than Yuecainuo2. The MWCNT application promoted the seed germination rate of Yuecainuo2 by 11.42% at M100 and 24.76% at M200 under Cd100 at 4 days after sowing; however, these effects remained non-significant for Yuebaitiannuo7. Moreover, the MWCNTs enhanced root and shoot fresh weight and antioxidant enzyme activities, including peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities, and reduced the malonaldehyde (MDA) content under Cd across MWCNT treatments. Nevertheless, the toxic effects were also observed, indicating a potential risk posed by MWCNTs at high concentrations. Application of MWCNTs alleviated the Cd toxicity in growing maize plants; however, their effects were concentration dependent. Yuecainuo2 performed better than Yuebaitiannuo7 with the application of MWCNT under Cd stress.

On-farm seed priming with zinc nutrition: a cost effective way to increase the yield of resource poor farmers

Among the micronutrients, Zinc (Zn) is one of the essential nutrient due to its involvement in many metabolic processes in plant. The research was conducted to optimize Zn seed priming treatments for improving the yield attributing traits and crop yield of pea and maize crops. Different priming levels of Zn (water soaking- without zinc, 1%, 2% and 3% ZnSO4), were applied with three priming durations (4, 8 and 12 hours). The priming treatments were compared with basal dose of recommended NPK + ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha−1 and farmers’ practice (40% N of RDF + unprimed seed- control). The results showed that seed priming with 1% ZnSO4 for 12 hours solution increased yield attributing traits (length of pea pods, number of pods/plant, number of grains/pod and shelling in pea pods) and yield of green peas, however in maize crop yield attributing traits (length of maize cobs, number of cobs/plant, number of grains/cob, shelling in maize cobs, girth of maize cobs and 1000-grain weight of maize) and yield were found maximum due to priming with 2% for 12 hours duration.

Maize Seedling Establishment, Grain Yield and Crop Water Productivity Response to Seed Priming and Irrigation Management in a Mediterranean Arid Environment

Water shortage is a major environmental stress that destructively impacts maize production, particularly in arid regions. Therefore, improving irrigation management and increasing productivity per unit of water applied are needed, especially under the rising temperature and precipitation fluctuations induced by climate change. Laboratory and field trials were carried out in the present study, which were aimed at assessing the possibility of promoting maize germination, growth, grain yield and crop water productivity (CWP) using seed priming under different irrigation regimes. Two seed priming treatments, i.e., hydro-priming and hardening versus unprimed seeds, were applied under four irrigation regimes, i.e., 120, 100, 80 and 60% of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The obtained results indicated that increasing irrigation water from 100% up to 120% ETc did not significantly increase grain yield or contributing traits, while it decreased CWP. Deficit irrigation of 80 and 60% ETc gradually decreased grain yield and all attributed traits. Seed priming significantly ameliorated seedlings’ vigor as indicated by earlier germination, higher germination percentage, longer roots and shoots, and heavier fresh and dry weight than unprimed seeds with the superiority of hardening treatment. Additionally, under field conditions, seed priming significantly increased grain yield, yield contributing traits and CWP compared with unprimed treatment. Interestingly, the results reflect the role of seed priming, particularly hardening, in mitigating negative impacts of drought stress and enhancing maize growth, grain yield and attributed traits as well as CWP under deficit irrigation conditions. This was demonstrated by a significant increase in grain yield and CWP under moderate drought and severe drought conditions compared with unprimed treatment. These results highlight that efficient irrigation management and seed priming can increase maize yield and water productivity in arid environments.

Foliar application and seed priming of salicylic acid affect growth, fruit yield, and quality of grape tomato under drought stress

Drought, an acute abiotic stress, limits growth and yields of crops including tomato. Salicylic acid (SA) has been widely used as an abiotic stress mitigating agent in various crops. Two experiments were conducted to assess the effects of SA applied as a foliar spray and as a seed priming material on growth, yield, and fruit quality of grape tomato under drought stress. In the first experiment, SA was applied as a foliar spray in five doses (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg L–1) under three soil moisture regimes (50 %, 75 %, and 100 % field capacity [FC]). In the second experiment, doses of SA and soil moisture regimes were the same as first experiment, except that SA was applied as a seed priming material. Data on growth, fruit yield, and quality of grape tomato were collected. The results revealed that severe moisture deficit of 50 % FC adversely affected growth and fruit yield of grape tomato by 94 % in experiment 1 (foliar application of SA) and by 95 % in experiment 2 (seed priming of SA) compared with 100 % FC, while fruit quality parameters (fruit pH, total soluble solids, and color index) improved with reducing soil moisture regime. Exogenous application of SA at 150 mg L–1 as a foliar spray enhanced fruit yield by 41 % and at 100 mg L–1 as a seed priming material resulted in 33 % increase in fruit yield compared with the control. However, there was no effect of SA supplementation at severe moisture deficit of 50 % FC regardless of experiments and doses. Foliar application of SA at 150 mg L–1 resulted in statistically similar yields between moderate soil moisture level of 75 % FC and sufficient soil moisture level of 100 % FC, whereas in case of seed priming treatment, maximum fruit yield was obtained at 100 mg L–1 SA dose in combination with 100 % FC. Grape tomato yielded more with foliar application of SA (113.1 g plant–1 fruit yield at 150 mg L–1) than did with SA seed priming (87.8 g plant–1 fruit yield at 100 mg L–1). Exogenous application of SA at 150 mg L–1 as a foliar spray and at 100 mg L–1 as a seed priming material could be recommended when grape tomato is grown under moderate to sufficient soil moisture availability.

EFFECTS OF SEED PRIMING ON SEED GERMINATION AND EARLY SEEDLING GROWTH OF CHILI (CAPSICUM ANNUM L.) UNDER WATER DEFICIT CONDITION

Seed priming may improve seed germination and early seedling growth of plants under water deficit condition. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of seed priming on the germination and early seedling growth of chili under water deficit condition and to identify the optimum rate of seed priming for higher seed germination and early seedling growth. The water deficit stress level towards early seedling growth also been identified. The priming treatments involved were non-priming as control, and priming with gibberellic acid (GA3) at 5 mg/L, 10 mg/L and 15 mg/L. Seed germination experiment was conducted using wet-tissue method for seven days duration. Germination percentage, germination index and seedling vigour index were recorded in the seed germination experiment. The germinated seeds were then sown and grown under five different levels of water deficit treatment in accordance with the frequency of watering mainly watering 8 times (S1), 4 times (S2), 2 times (S3), once (S4), and not watered (S5), in a duration of 14 days. The early seedling growth performance was based on plant height, and root length. Seed germination and early seedling growth performance of 5 mg/L GA3 primed seeds was significantly better as compared to other seed priming treatments. In addition, the S1 and S2 could be regarded as non-stress condition, S3 and S4 as mild to moderate stress and S5 as severe stress since all seedlings were not survived under S5 condition. In general, S2 was found to be the optimum watering treatment as it recorded the highest plant height and root length of the seedlings.

Effect of seed priming on the growth, yield and economics of spring groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under different planting geometries

The present investigation was carried out at Students’ Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, PAU, Ludhiana during spring season 2018 and 2019, respectively to evaluate the suitable seed priming and plant spacing which enhance the growth, yield, quality and productivity of spring groundnut. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three plant spacings viz. 22.5 × 20.0 cm, 30.0 × 15.0 cm and 45.0 × 10.0 cm in main plot and five seed priming treatments i.e. consortium bio fertilizer, cow urine, vermicompost, vermiwash, consortium bio fertilizer + cow urine+ vermi compost+ vermiwash along with control in sub plots with four replications. The spring groundnut under 22.5 × 20 cm plant geometry recorded significantly higher number of pegs, filled pods plant−1, pod yield (47.2 q ha−1), haulm yield(108.9 q ha−1) and biological yield (156.2 q ha−1). Among seed priming treatments, significantly higher pod yield (49.6 q ha−1), haulm yield (110.9 q ha−1)and biological yield (160.6 q ha−1) were reported in consortium bio-fertilizer seed primed spring groundnut. The significantly higher gross returns, net returns and b: C ratio of were reported under 22.5× 20 cm plant geometry and in consortium biofertilizer seed primed treatment.

Influence of Pre-Sowing Seed Priming and Packaging Materials on the Quality of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Seeds

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of seed priming on seed quality of freshly harvested sesame seeds stored in different packaging materials. During 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 different pre-sowing seed priming treatments were adopted for seed production. Freshly harvested seeds were packed in aluminum foils, plastic packets, brown paper packets and cloth bags; and stored under ambient condition to monitor the deterioration pattern of seed quality during 2018-19 and 2019-2020. Germination (%), vigour index, electrical conductivity and α-amylase activity were evaluated at 2 months interval up to 8 months of storage. The results showed that among the packaging materials evaluated aluminum foil can be used for longer period with least deterioration. Among the treatments, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 @ -0.2 MPa, followed by KNO3 @ 50 mM and KH2PO4 @ 200 mM treatments gave high quality seeds in terms of germination, vigour index and electrical conductivity. Therefore, seed priming of sesame seeds with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 @ -0.2 MPa may be done to produce high quality seeds which can be safely stored in aluminum foil.

Genotype × Environment Interaction for Wheat Yield Traits Suitable for Selection in Different Seed Priming Conditions.

Different seed priming treatments are widely used in order to improve the nutritional status of wheat, as well as to improve its grain yield and yield- related traits. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of seed priming with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the yield related traits, such as, field emergence, plant height, spike length and grain yield per plant of four winter wheat genotypes (Triticum aestivum L.) during two vegetation seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020. The seeds of each wheat genotypes were primed with different concentrations of ZnO NPs (0 mg L−1, 10 mg L−1, 100 mg L−1 and 1000 mg L−1) for 48 h in a dark box by continuous aeration and were sown in soil pots with 60–70% moisture content until full maturity. The additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) models were used to study the genotype environment effects. The results indicated that the plants response to ZnO nanoparticles significantly increased all of the observed traits of the wheat, while its maximum rates reduced the traits of the wheat. The AMMI analysis revealed the very complex nature of the variation observed in the trial and showed the significant effect of the G×E interaction, in which the first main component was significant for all components.

Stimulatory Effect of Seed Priming as Pretreatment Factors on Germination and Yield Performance of Yard Long Bean (Vigna unguiculata)

Seed priming is a technique that can potentially facilitate rapid and consistent germination and subsequent plant growth. The present study investigates the effect of different seed priming treatments and processing times on germination and growth efficiency for the effective cultivation of Yard-long bean. Thirteen different primings were used to determine the stimulatory effect on the germination and yield performance of the Yard-long bean. The priming treatments included control (without priming); hydro priming for 12, 18, 24, and 30 h; halo priming (1% CaCl2) for 12, 18, 24, and 30 h; and halo priming (2% KNO3) for 12, 18, 24, and 30 h. Studies showing the highest level of germination (86.66%), germination index (35.69), seedling vigor index (1833.80), number of branches (7.20), and pod yields per plant (1836.00 g) were recorded from halo priming with 1% CaCl2 at 12 h treatment. Halo priming with 1% CaCl2 at 12 h is thus considered to be a compatible priming technique for the germination of seeds and a higher yield of Yard-long bean.

Efficiency of seed bio-priming technique for healthy mungbean productivity under terminal drought stress

Recently, drought-induced damaging impact in reducing the crop growth and development is drastically ranked at the top under various abiotic stresses. And especially water stress at the reproductive growth stages termed as terminal drought has become a severe threat for mungbean productivity. To mitigate the drought stress condition, “bio-priming” has emerged as a newly agronomic and sustainable technique in improving the mungbean production. A 2-year field study during Kharif season 2017–2018 was conducted to investigate the efficacy of rhizobacteria seed priming in mungbean (AZRI mung-06), at Agronomic Research Area, Department of Agronomy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. The experiment comprised two factors containing FA (seed treatments, control (dry seeds), hydro-priming, silicon (Si)-priming, and bio-priming (mixture strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens+Rhizobium phaseoli)) and FB (irrigation water-regimes at various growth stages including leaf formation (L), stem elongation (S)+flowering (F)+pod formation (P) containing treatments are normal irrigation (IL+S+F+P) and terminal drought stress (IF+P)). All the treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design under factorial design and were replicated thrice. Results indicated that the exposure of drought stress at flowering and pod formation stages hampered the morpho-physiological growth and yield of mungbean. Nevertheless, seed priming treatments particularly bio-priming were effective in alleviating the detrimental effects of drought stress. Bio-priming significantly increased the yield and yield components (seeds/plant, 1 000-grain weight and harvest index) of mungbean and regulated the activities/levels of antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbic acid, and total phenolics) under drought stress. Compared with the control, bio-priming increased the seed yield of mungbean by 8–12% under normal as well as drought stress conditions during both years of study. Bio-priming also improved the nutrient uptake behavior followed by Si- and hydro-priming treatments under terminal drought stress. The study emphasized the effectiveness of bio-priming as dual seed treatment method may be helpful for vigorous germination of mungbean production along with plant tolerance against terminal drought stress. Among the various treatments, plants treated with bio-priming technique compensated the grain yield due to having strong antioxidant defense system and better nutrient uptake behaviour under terminal drought stress. Economic analysis also concluded that bio-priming is the easiest, cost-effective, friendly, and sustainable approach for the maximization of the mungbean production.

Enhancement Onion Seed Germination and Seedling Vigor Traits through Magneto-Priming Techniques

Standardization of magneto-priming technique treatments on seed and seedling vigor traits of onion cultivar Giza Red, under growth chamber and nursery conditions during 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 seasons. Therefore, a laboratory and nursery experiments were conducted in a Completely Randomized Design and Split-Split Plot Design with three replicates, respectively, consisted of; seed priming techniques vis., ordinary-priming and magneto-priming, chemical solutions vis., zinc sulfate (ZnSo4, 500 mgL-1), ascorbic acid (ASA, 50 mgL-1­) and distilled water (control treatment), along with durations time of seed priming vis., 12, 18 and 24 hours. It be concluded that, magneto-priming, ASA and ZnSo4 solutions and 24 hours of seed priming treatments presented the highest significance increases compared to the other treatments in both of the two experiments. Furthermore, the combination between magneto-priming and ASA reveled the highest rated upon the control treatment, which were 50.4% for coefficient of velocity of germination, 36.7% for seedling length, 27.7% for seedling dry weight, 58.2% and 48.7% for seedling vigor index (I & II) and minimized mean germination time by 19.3%. Likewise, concerning the nursery experiment, the combination between magneto-priming and ZnSo4 presented the highest increases over control by 24.7% for speedof emergencein the firstseason and 28.3% & 18.2% for seedling length in bothseasons. While, the combination between magneto-priming and ASA detected the highest increases by 16% & 14% for field emergence, 34.4% & 38.5% for seedling dry weight, 56% & 58% for seedling vigor index and 36% & 37.5% for total amino acids in bothseasons.

The Effects of Seed Priming with L-glutamine and L-arginine Amino Acids in Pepper Seeds

Seed-priming is a physiological technique of seed hydration and drying to enhance the germination. Seed priming treatments can be used to achieve even and earlier sprouts. A popular seed-priming practice which helps the seeds germinate faster is hydro-priming. Other studies have shown that seed priming with α-arginine promotes growth in sunflower. Pepper seeds germinate slowly and the aim of this study was to assess the effects of seed priming with α-glutamine and α-arginine amino acids in pepper seeds grown in different fertilization scheme. During the evaluation it can be concluded that seed-priming treatment with α-arginine and double distilled water speeds up the sprouting. At some variants, it was proven that α-glutamine seed-priming was inefficient. It was also found that fertilization schemes influence the germination and root growth in the following year.