Micronutrient priming improves germination and seedling establishment in lentil

Seed priming is one of the most effective methods of micronutrient delivery in dryland agriculture. However, possible effect(s) of the method must be evaluated on seed performance during germination and emergence. So, in this study, the influence of nutrient priming of lentil seeds was investigated by solutions of potassium iodide (KI), copper iodide (CuI), zinc iodide (ZnI2) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) under laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions. Experiments showed that the used compounds had no significant negative effects on seeds performance. Also, the responses of the seeds to applied micronutrients varied in different environments. The speed of germination for primed seeds was higher than that of unprimed seeds, especially at laboratory tests. When germination and emergence circumstances severed, the emergence percentage dramatically decreased from controlled conditions to field environments. It was concluded that seed treatment with the micronutrients, except for KI treatment, had a potential to improve seedling emergence and stand establishment under field conditions; therefore, the application of mentioned compounds could safely be used for different purposes.

Keywords:

Seed treatment , Lens culinaris , Stand establishment