Influence of Priming Duration on the Performance of Amaranths (Amaranthus cruentusL.) in Sokoto Semiarid Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

Two field trials were conducted during the 2012 cropping season at the Fruits and Vegetable Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (located on latitude14∘N-15∘N and longitude4∘-5∘), to evaluate the effect of priming duration on the growth and yield of amaranth. Treatments consisted of four priming durations (2, 4, 6, and 8 hours) and control (where no priming was applied). The treatments were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) replicated three times for the germination test and randomized complete block design (RCBD) for the field trial. Data were collected on days to 50% germination, percentage germination, days to 50% emergence, and percentage emergence. Results revealed significant effect of priming duration on days to 50% germination, percentage germination, and days to 50% emergence. Soaking seeds for 2 hours reduced the number of days to 50% germination and emergence and also recorded higher germination. Thus, from the findings of this study, it could be concluded that priming amaranth seeds for 2 hours could be applied to enhance amaranth production.

Effect of Different Priming Methods on Growth and Flowering of Different Flowers of Kashmir Valley, India

“…This protocol has practical importance and could be recommended to farmers to achieve higher germination, uniform emergence, improved growth, flowering and yield characteristics in various crops as evidenced from reports by the various workers in this field. Musa et al, (2014) conducted two field trials to evaluate the effect of hydropriming duration on the growth and yield of amaranth. Treatments consisted of four hydropriming durations (2, 4, 6, and 8 hours) and control (where no priming was applied).…”

Influence of Priming Concentration on the Growth and Yield of Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) in Sokoto Semi-Arid Zone of Nigeria

“…The leaves (edible part) represent 76% of the total fresh weight of shoots and one hundred grams contain 84 g water, 4.6 g protein, 1.8 g cellulose, 410 mg calcium, 8.9 mg iron, 5.7 mg beta-carotene and 64 mg vitamin C. The leaves are also rich in vitamin A and potassium and represent the largest source of nutrients among all the vegetables that could be grown in tropical Africa [1,2].…”

“…Despite the role of amaranths as one of the sources of vitamins A, B, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, and some other dietary minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, copper, and manganese which are comparable to common grains such as wheat, oats, and others [1], its production in Nigeria remains low when compared to other countries [2]. There is therefore, the need to improve its production to meet the demand of the consumers.…”

“…Several studies on seed germination and seed emergence showed the beneficial effect of seed priming using different methods [6][7][8]. Pre-sowing seed treatment is a low risk technique that is being used to increase crop establishment under unfavorable conditions [2]. Paul and Choudhury [9] observed that seed soaked in 0.5 to 1% solutions of KCl or K 2 SO 4 significantly increased plant height and yield attributes in wheat.…”

“…Moosavi et al [10] reported that osmopriming and hydro-priming of amaranth seeds significantly increased germination percentage, speed of germination and seedling vigour in all cultivars. Recently, Musa et al [2] reported soaking amaranths seed for two hours as best for improving germination and emergence performance of the crop. Thus, this experiment was conducted to study the influence of seed priming concentration on the growth and yield of amaranth in semi-arid environment.…”