Effects of Priming on Seed Germination, Physico-Chemistry and Yield of Late Sown Wheat Crop (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat productivity is drastically affected by late sowing, as it faces high temperatures during grain filling which decreases the crop yield. In this experiment, several seed priming agents were used to improve performance of two wheat varieties under normal and late sowing regimes. Hydro-priming, Osmopriming with 2% calcium chloride and hormonal priming with salicylic-acid (50 mg/L) used as seed priming treatments. All treatments resulted in better seedling establishment, physiological attributes, growth and yield as Salicylic-acid proved superior in synchronized seedling stand establishment by reducing time required for 50% emergence and mean emergence under both sowings. Overall, growth and yielding traits were improved in both varieties subjected to seed priming with salicylic-acid and CaCl₂ under normal and late sowings. Salicylic-acid and CaCl₂ priming showed highest proline, sugars, phenolics, chlorophyll and relative water contents in Sarsabz and Khirman, while hydro-priming gave maximum glycine-betaine and membrane thermo-stability. Sarsabz showed more tolerance against high temperature. Seed priming improved high temperature tolerance under late sowing; however, CaCl₂ and salicylic-acid priming remained more effective in mitigate drastic effects of high temperature by maintaining better growth and yield as well as improved physiological attributes in both varieties. These enhancers can give more production under adverse climatic conditions.