Effect of seed priming practices on yield and economics of winter (Rabi) sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2017–18 and 2018–19 under rainfed condition at Dharwad, Karnataka, to evaluate the effects of different seed-priming practices on growth, yield and economics of winter (rabi) sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] under rainfed conditions. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete-block design with 6 treatments and 4 replications. Significantly higher germination (91.2%) and dry matter at harvesting (179.5 g/plant) were recorded with KNO₃ (0.5%) seed priming. Seed priming with KNO₃ (0.5%) resulted in significantly higher grain yield (3.03 t/ha) which higher by 16.4, 9.0 and 4.5% over the control, seed priming with water and seed priming with CaCl₂ (2%)-RPP respectively. The higher grain yield was mainly attributed to higher 100-grain weight (2.472 g), ear weight (62.0 g/plant) and grain yield/plant (35.5 g). The same treatment realized higher gross returns (₹76.7x10¹⁰/ha), net returns (₹45.1 x 10³/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.43) as compared to the other seed priming practices.