Improving germination and quality of soybean seeds by using natural compounds

Abstract

Globally, soybean (Glycine max L.) is an important protein-and oil-rich crop. Farmers much attention to ordered high seed quality, which is associated with many important agronomical traits and can arise in a 30% increase in crop yields. By boosting germination, the seed coating technique increment yield, and seed quality. Moreover, seed coating is a desirable option as a tool for boost establishment of crops by speeding up difficulties that systems of agriculture face. The purpose of the experiment was to contrast the efficacy of seventeen natural compounds seed coating treatments namely (T1) Control seed without coating, (T2) Seed coated with arabic gum, (T3) Water only, (T4) Indole butyric acid IBA 100 ppm, (T5) Kaolin 6%, (T6) Glycine betaine 100 ppm, (T7) Sorbitol 1%, (T8) IBA+ Kaolin, (T9) IBA+GB, (T10) IBA+ Sorbitol, (T11) Kaolin + GB, (T12) Kaolin + Sorbitol, (T13) GB + Sorbitol, (T14) IBA + Kaolin + GB, (T15) IBA + GB + Sorbitol, (T16) Kaolin + GB + Sorbitol, (T17) IBA+ Kaolin + GB + Sorbitol. Results revealed that high chlorophyll content and crop growth rate were achieved when seed coating with T15 and T17. The tallest plants were recorded at T6 while T8 and T14 achieved the heaviest seed weight,100 seed weight, and number of pods per plant. T12 achieved a high number of seeds per plant. T8 recorded high seed yield per feddan, high germination percentage, and seedling dry weight, while T17 recorded the longest seedling length. T5 recorded high protein content and T15 achieved high carbohydrates and oil content. Thus, seed coating technologies enhance seed performance, and improve crop establishment, for sustainable agricultural systems. All seed-coating compounds are safe for both the environment and human health.