Effects of Seed Priming in Glumed and Glumeless Barley Cultivars

Abstract

Micronutrients are vital for plant growth and human health. Soil and foliar applications are the most prevalent methods of micronutrient addition but the cost involved and difficulty in obtaining high quality micronutrient fertilizers are major concerns with these in developing countries. Micronutrient seed treatments, which include seed priming and seed coating, are attractive and easy alternatives. In this study, Turkish glumed barley cultivar Aydanhanım and glumeless cultivar Özen were primed with ZnSO 4 to improve seed germination speed, germination percantage and important components that affect yield. The results showed positive effect of osmopriming compared to control on seedling growth. The early and maximum germination was achieved on osmoprimed seeds. The results showed that the osmopriming could effect germination ratio of Hordeum vulgar L. positively under arid Central Anadolu conditions and could be positively manipulated for increased yields of Hordeum vulgare L.