Seed priming in moisture-stress conditions to improve growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum)

An experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2010–11 to 2013–14 at Karnal, Haryana to assess the impact of seed priming on crop establishment, growth, productivity and water-use efficiency of wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend, Fiori & Paol.] under different moisture regimes. The experiment was carried out in a split-plot design with 3 main-plot treatments (seeding at optimum moisture level, sub-optimal moisture level and in air dry soil followed by irrigation) and 3 sub-plot treatments (no seed priming, matriconditioning and sprouted seed). Sprouted seed (5.49 t/ha) and matriconditioning (5.30 t/ha) resulted in significantly higher grain yield compared to unprimed seeds. The difference among various seeding methods were found statistically at par. Matriconditioning and sprouted seeds germinated earlier than non-primed seeds leading to better crop establishment under optimum, sub-optimum soil moisture as well as air dry soil conditions having a moisture content 17.5, 10.9 and 6.2%, respectively, estimated by gravimetric method leading to higher tillering and grain yield. The results showed that matriconditioning and sprouted seeds improved germination indices, seedling growth and crop establishment.