Abstract

Seed priming has emerged as an innovative and economical technique to elevate seed quality, fostering uniform, swift, and robust germination under both stress and non-stress conditions. This study endeavors to scrutinize the effects of organic (silicic acid, SA) and inorganic (humic acid, HA) acids, alongside their synergistic combinations, on seed quality parameters in three distinct lentil (Lens culinaris) genotypes: IPL-316 (tolerant), PSL-9, and PDL-1 (sensitive). Critical parameters assessed encompass germination percentage, root and shoot length, seed vigor indices I and II, and dry weight under meticulously controlled laboratory conditions. The priming agents were standardized across a spectrum of concentrations and durations. Sterilized seeds were immersed in silicic acid (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mM), humic acid (100, 200, 300, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 ppm), and their combinations over varying durations (2 to 18 hours), including control and hydropriming treatments. Following treatment, seeds were air-dried and subjected to growth assessments. The findings reveal that priming significantly bolsters early-stage plant growth across all three lentil genotypes, with the combined application of silicic and humic acids yielding remarkable enhancements in all seed quality parameters, intricately influenced by genotype and treatment combination.

Keywords: Seed priming, Silicic acid, Humic acid, Lentil (Lens culinaris), Germination percentage, Seed vigor indices, Root and shoot length, Dry weight, Integrated priming.

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