Priming Effect on Seed Germination, Seedling Vigor, and Yield of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Abstract Uniform stand establishment of wheat is considered one of the most important yield-contributing factors in semi-arid areas. A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of seed priming media and priming durations on seed germination, vigor, and yield of bread wheat. The experiment was conducted with a wheat variety, 4 levels of priming media (Distilled water, KNO3 @0.1%, Mannitol @2%, Salicylic acid @0.06%, and unprimed control), and 2 priming durations (12 and 24 hours) in factorial arrangement using CRD for lab tests and RCBD for field experiment with three replications. Results showed significant (P<0.05) effects of priming treatments on germination percentage, seedling vigor, fertile spikes m-2, yield, and year. Effects were non-significant (P>0.05) for heading date, plant height, thousand seed weight, and hectoliter weight among the tested media and duration but among the growing seasons. Priming with distilled water (93.58%) followed by KNO3 @0.1% (92.62%) resulted in the highest germination. Vigor indices I was not improved by priming as unprimed control exhibited the highest (1803.80%cm) followed by that of KNO3 @0.1% (1741.10%cm). The highest Vigor index II (1069%mg) was observed in seeds primed in KNO3 @0.1% at 24 hours but, it was not significantly different from the unprimed control (989%mg). Priming in KNO3 @0.1% at 12 hours showed significantly higher fertile spikes m-2 (487) and yield (51.2 kg ha-1) as compared to the unprimed control. However, this similar priming media resulted in the lowest yield (40.3 kg ha-1) at 24 hours. Seed primed in KNO3 @ 0.1% for 12 hours resulted in a 19% yield increment as compared to the unprimed control. Salicylic acid @ 0.06% was not the desired media for the improvement of seedling vigor, yield, and yield component of wheat in a semi-arid environment. In conclusion, KNO3 @ 0.1% contributed to the improvement of germination, early seedling establishment, and yield of wheat under moisture-stress conditions.