Effect of Priming on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Germination and Seedling Development

Abstract

This study was done in Agric. Botany Department lab., Fac. of Agric., Mansoura Univ, during the season of 2019 for evaluating the promoting roles of grain priming and duration on germination and seedling vigor of Triticum aestivum L.cv. “Misr 1”). Grains were primed for 8, 16, and 24 h either in water, zinc sulfate (Zn at 100, 150, and 200 ppm), or humic acid (HA, at 1500, 3000, and 4500 ppm); besides dry grain as a control. Results designated that grain priming considerably improved seedling vigor index represented by germination %, shoot and root length, shoot and root fresh and dry weight. Priming in HA at 3000 ppm for 16 h was the most effective treatment that increased the germination%, germination speed index, germination index, and coefficient of germination by 49%, 51%, 47%, and 5%, respectively relative to the control. Meanwhile, the corresponding increases in response to Zn at 150 ppm for 16 h were 44%, 46%, 5%, and 43% respectively. In addition, hydro-priming was effective when used for 16 h relative to the other hydro-priming durations or to the control. So, the priming duration of 16 h gave the highest values compared with other tested priming durations. From the current outcomes, it could be established that the priming of grains has a substantial effect on enhancing wheat germination and seedling development.