Evaluation of different seed priming methods for improvement of seedling growth of barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea L.) cv. MDU1

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of different priming methods on improvement of seedling growth. Pre-sowing seed priming helps to improve germination and stand establishment. Seeds of barnyard millet were primed with different priming methods viz., hydro priming(H2O), hormo priming(GA3 10ppm),organic priming(vermiwash 10%), botanical priming (Calotropis leaf extract 15%), halo priming (KH2PO41%) and chemo priming (succinic acid 100ppm). Barnyard millet seeds were soaked in double the volume of priming media for 12hours and evaluated the seed quality parameters. Among these methods, hormo priming (GA310ppm) recorded higher values in germination (100%), shoot length (10.85 cm) and vigour index (2353) compared to other priming treatment methods. The percentage increase over control was by 5, 12.22, 16.87, 50 and 18.66 for germination percentage, root length, shoot length, dry matter production and vigour index I, respectively.

Keywords

• Priming
• barnyard millet
• seed quality
• vigour.