Effect of hydropriming and osmopriming on germination behaviour and vigor of soybean (Glycine max L.) seeds

Seeds of soybean Cv. DS 2706 were primed with distilled water, KNO₃(1%), NaCl(0.5%) and PEG 6000(5%) for 8, 12, 24 and 48 hr s. at 25° C. The experiment was carried out in complete randomized design replicated four times with 17 priming treatments. Results of variance clearly showed the osmopriming and hydropriming had significant effect on seed germination and emergence. Mean comparison showed that the highest germination%, germination Index and vigor Index was achieved by priming with PEG₆₀₀₀(5%) for 12 hours. Maximum seedling length and dry seedling weight was obtained by hydropriming for 24 hours and least mean germination time and highest energy of emergence was achieved by osmopriming by NaCl for 12 hours.