Influence of Priming Concentration on the Growth and Yield of Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) in Sokoto Semi-Arid Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Two field trials were conducted during the 2012 cropping season at the Fruits and Vegetable Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, to evaluate the effect of priming concentration on the growth and yield of Amaranth. Treatments consisted of four priming concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2% KNO 3).The treatments were laid out in a completely randomized design(CRD) replicated three times for the germination test and randomized complete block design (RCBD) for the field trial. Data were collected on days to 50% germination, percentage germination, days to 50% emergence, percentage emergence and fresh weight. Results showed significant effect of priming concentration on days to 50% germination, percentage emergence and days to 50% emergence. Soaking seeds in 0.5% KNO 3 reduced the number of days to 50% germination and emergence and also recorded higher percentage germination. Thus, it could be concluded that amaranth seeds should be primed with 0.5% KNO 3 solution for faster and higher seed germination of the crop.