EFFECT OF OSMOPRIMING AND HYDROPRIMING ON SEEDLING TRAITS OF SOYBEAN

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a legume crop used as a source of edible oil and protein around the world. It contains 30-45% protein and 15-24% oil and contains high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids and no cholesterol. Fifteen soybean genotypes collected from national and international sources were sown in petri dishes under lab conditions following completely randomized design in two factors factorial arrangement with three replications and four seed priming treatments. Seeds were treated with water, CaCl2 (100mM), KNO3 (100mM) and H2O2 (100mM). Statistical analysis revealed that differences among genotypes for germination percentage, emergence index, emergence rate index, radicle length and plumule length were significant. Treatments and interaction of genotypes with treatments were significant for radicle and plumule lengths and non-significant for germination percentage, emergence index and emergence rate index. Mean performance of genotypes 292 and 283 was better for most of the traits under study. Germination percentage, emergence rate index and emergence increased by application of H2O2 whereas radicle and plumule lengths decreased as compared to control.