Seed Priming and Field Performance of Soybean (Glycine max L.) in Response to Water Limitation

Laboratory tests and a field experiment were carried out to evaluate the effects of priming methods on seed invigoration and field performance of soybean (cv. ‘Zan’). The field experiment was arranged as split plot based on RCB design with three replications. Irrigation treatments (I1, I2 and I3: irrigation after 70, 110 and 150 mm evaporation from class A pan) and priming methods (water, 3% KH2PO4 and 3% KNO3 for 8 h at 15±1°C) were allocated to main and sub-plots, respectively. Germination percentage, seedling dry weight and field emergence percentage decreased, but mean emergence time increased, due to seed priming. Grain yield under severe water deficit was 29.32% less than that under normal irrigation. Pods per plant, grains per plant and grain yield per plant were significantly enhanced as a result of low stand establishment caused by seed priming. Consequently, biological and grain yields per unit area and also harvest index were statistically similar for plants from primed and unprimed seeds. In general, priming methods had no any beneficial effect on laboratory and field performance of soybean seeds.