Effect of Priming on Seed Germination, Seedling Vigor and Yield of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Moisture-Stress Conditions

Abstract

Uniform stand establishment of wheat is considered one of the most important yield-contributing factors in semi-arid areas. An experiment evaluated how different priming media and durations impact germination, vigor, and yield. The experimental design involved a bread wheat variety (Hidase), four priming media (distilled water, 0.1% KNO3, 2% Mannitol, 0.06% Salicylic acid, and a non-primed control), and two priming durations (12 and 24 hours), under laboratory and field conditions, using factorial CRD and CRBD, respectively. The results revealed that the priming media had a significant (P<0.05) effect on germination, vigor, the number of fertile spikes, yield, and year. The highest germination percentage was achieved with distilled water (93.58%), followed by 0.1% KNO₃ (92.62%). The vigor index-I was not enhanced by priming, with the control exhibiting the highest value (1803.8%cm). The highest Vigor index-II (1069%mg) was observed in seeds primed with 0.1% KNO₃ for 24 hours. Priming with 0.1% KNO₃ for 12 hours resulted in a higher number of spikes (487 m^-2) and yield (5.12 t ha^-1) compared to the control. However, the same priming medium resulted in the lowest yield (4.03 t ha^-1) at a priming duration of 24 hours. A priming duration of 12 hours with 0.1% KNO₃ resulted in a 19% yield increase compared to the unprimed control. In conclusion, 0.1% KNO3 contributed to the enhancement of germination, early seedling establishment, and yield of wheat under moisture-stress conditions