Seed priming: A low-cost technology for resource-poor farmers in improving pulse productivity

Abstract

Pulses continue to become an integral component of sustainable crop production system for their ability towards biological nitrogen fixation, low water requirement, comparatively shorter duration and capacity to withstand abnormal weather conditions. Average pulse productivity in India often becomes low at famers' fields due to a number of constraints. Moreover, these crops are mainly grown under energy-starved conditions by small and marginal farmers, who do not have sufficient resources with regard to fine seedbed preparation before sowing as well as post-sowing management practices along with appropriate plant protection measures. Hence, poor seed germination, slow and insufficient seedling emergence and inappropriate stand establishment are not uncommon in stress-prone areas. Seed priming is a simple, inexpensive, highly effective and risk-averting tool for improving plant acclimatization under both biotic and abiotic stresses, besides ensuring uniform seed germination, rapid emergence, better stand establishment, improved crop growth, and higher productivity of pulses. The possible technological options for seed priming in pulses include hydropriming, osmo-priming, bio-priming, nutri-priming, solid matrix priming, hormo-priming, halo-priming, nano-priming and ultra-priming. The present chapter highlights different aspects, techniques and importance of seed priming with particular reference to pulse crops.