Seed priming improves emergence and yield of soybean

Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of seed priming on emergence and yield of soybean (Glycine max) cv. William-82 at NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan during 2003 and 2004. The seed was primed using 0 (deionized water), -0.2, -0.5, -1.1 and -1.8 MPa Polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions for 6, 12 and 18 h using dry seed (non primed) as a control. Thereafter, the seed was washed and dried back to its original moisture content at room temperature and sown in the first week of May during both years. The experiment was laid out ill randomized complete block (RCB) design having four replications. The plot size was 2m x 3m with 50 cm apart rows and plant to plant distance of 10 cm was used. Seed primed at different osmotic potentials differed significantly for clays to emergence, emergence m(-2) and grain yield. Seed primed at osmotic potential of -1.1 MPa had quicker and improved emergence per unit area and resulted in higher grain yield of soybean. Likewise, seed priming duration of 6 h resulted in faster and improved emergence and higher grain yield of soybean. It is concluded that seed priming hastens and improves emergence and enhances grain yield of soybean.