Enhancement of seed germination and early seedling growth through seed priming agents in brinjal

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted in the laboratory of Plant Physiology Section of Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Institute (BARI) for two consecutive years of 2021 and 2022 for 14 days during 13 February to 26 February to investigate the effect of different priming agents on seed germination, germination parameters, seedling growth and vigour of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.). During 2021, the experiment consisted of two brinjal varieties viz, BARI Begun-6 and BARI Begun-10 and seven priming agents viz., Hydropriming (DH₂O), Gibberellic acid (GA₃) @ 289 µM,  Potassium chloride (KCl) @ 134 mM, Urea @ 167 mM, Sodium chloride (NaCl)  @ 40 mM, and Diammonium phosphate (DAP)  @ 70 mM PEG₆₀₀₀ @ 5%) with unprimed control, whereas during 2022 the  experiment comprised the same two varieties of brinjal and seven priming agents viz., Hydropriming (DH₂O), Gibberellic Acid (GA₃) @ 289 µM, Potassium Nitrate (KNO₃) @ 0.25%, Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) @ 40 mM, Sodium Chloride (NaCl) @ 40 mM, α -triacontanol (TRIA) @ 1 µM and Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) @ 50 ppm. The experiments of both years were laid out in completely randomized design with three replications. In the 1^st year, seed germination, germination index, germination rate index, coefficient of velocity of germination, seedling growth (shoot length, root length and seedling dry weight) and seedling vigour (seedling vigour index I and-II) were enhanced significantly in both the varieties with 289 µM of GA₃. In the 2^nd year, seeds of the two brinjal varieties treated with 40 mM H₂O₂ showed the maximum germination percentage, germination index, germination value, seedling growth (shoot length, root length and seedling dry weight) and seedling vigour (seedling vigour index I and -II) compared to the other treatments.  From the two years’ results, it was concluded that either 40 mM H₂O₂ or 0.25% KNO₃ or 289 µM GA₃ can be used as priming agent to enhance the seed germination, growth and seedling vigour of brinjal seed. Prior to sowing or going for breeding work, it was suggested that brinjal seeds should be primed with H₂O₂ or KNO₃ or GA₃ concentrations for 18 hrs to obtain maximum germination and vigourous seedlings.

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 50(3): 203-218, September 2025