Influence of Seed Priming and Seed Size on Wheat Performance under Different Tillage Systems

Abstract

To cite this paper: Haider, M.U., M. AbstractThis field study was conducted to assess the effect of seed priming and seed size on emergence, growth and productivity of wheat under conventional and conservation tillage during winter season 2012-2013. Seeds of wheat cultivar Punjab-2011 were separated into small sized (1000 grain weight = 22.5 g) and bold sized (1000 grain weight = 44.4 g) seeds by winnowing. Both bold and small sized seeds were soaked in aerated solution of CaCl2 (ψs -1.25 MPa; osmopriming) for 24 h while untreated (dry) seeds were taken as control. Osmoprimed and dry seeds of both sizes were sown under conventional and conservation (zero tillage) tillage practices. Results indicated that wheat sown under conventional tillage observed quick, uniform and better early stand establishment compared with zero tilled wheat. However, seed primed with CaCl2 significantly lowered the days to start emergence, mean emergence time and improved final emergence count compared with dry seeds sown, particularly of zero tilled wheat. Zero tilled crop observed a significant cut in leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR) and net assimilation (NAR), while bold seed size and osmopriming improved the LAI, CGR and NAR under both tillage practices, zero tilled wheat in particular. Moreover, zero tilled wheat observed a significant yield penalty due to significant increase in yield related traits; however, osmopriming and bold seed size improved wheat productivity due to substantial expansion in yield related traits under conventional and zero tillage, zero tillage in particular, practices. In conclusion, bold sized seed osmoprimed with CaCl2 was better able to produce higher yield of conventionally tilled and zero tilled wheat.

Influence of Priming on Emergence, Weed Infestation, Growth and Yield of Wheat Sown under Different Tillage Practices

“…Oppositely poor soil and seed contact due to very coarse seedbed in zero tilled wheat observed poor and delayed emergence due to Fig. 3: Interactive effect of priming techniques and tillage practices on LAI and CGR of wheat ± S.E less moisture supply (Haider et al, 2016). Seed priming, osmopriming especially, observed quick and better stand establishment under all tillage practices including ZT (Figs.…”

“…It might be due to decrease in lag phase or swift metabolism of seed reserves due to activation of hydrolytic enzymes like α-amylase during priming (Afzal et al, 2012;Husain et al, 2017). Many earlier reports elucidated the superiority of priming in accelerating emergence count compared with unprimed seeds; however osmopriming with calcium salts like CaCl2 looked more appropriate for wheat under less than optimum conditions (Farooq et al, 2015;Haider et al, 2016).…”

“…ZT enhanced the weeds diversity and infestation levels (Shahzad et al, 2016c) and long duration weeds tend to become more prominent in case of ZT (Farooq et al, 2011). However, use of ZT is still debatable because ZT delayed seed germination and reduced seedling emergence of wheat (Haider et al, 2016).…”

“…Seed priming is a controlled hydration of seeds before sowing which enables the seeds to realize a germinating state without actual radicle protrusion (McDonald, 2000). Improved emergence potential enables primed seeds to perform better with healthy crop stands even under stressful conditions (Haider et al, 2016;Hussain et al, 2016). Seed priming may accelerate emergence due to decrease in lag phase or swift metabolism of stored food in seed due to activation of enzymes like α-amylase during priming (Afzal et al, 2012;Hussain et al, 2017).…”

“…Seed priming may accelerate emergence due to decrease in lag phase or swift metabolism of stored food in seed due to activation of enzymes like α-amylase during priming (Afzal et al, 2012;Hussain et al, 2017). Priming with calcium salts is seemed highly efficient to improve wheat performance under less than optimal conditions (Farooq et al, 2015;Haider et al, 2016).…”