Seed priming and water potential effects on germination and emergence of common bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate use of on-farm seed priming under artificial drought as a strategy to improve stand establishment in common bean grown under dry-land conditions. A laboratory experiment aimed at determining the effects of different water potentials (0, -10, -100, -200, -500, -1500 kPa) and different seed treatments (non-priming; 12-hour priming; 12-hour priming and 12-hour drying; 12-hour priming and 24-hour drying) on germination of three common bean varieties (PAN329, Contenta, Black bean). A field experiment was also carried out to determine the effects of different priming periods (0; 1; 2; 4; 8; 12; 16; 20 and 24 hours; 12-hour soaking and 12-hour drying; 12-hour soaking and 24-hour drying; 24-hour soaking and 12-hour drying; 24-hour soaking and 24-hour drying) on emergence of varieties PAN329 and Contenta. The highest germination rate was observed in water potentials of -100 and -200 kPa in PAN329 and Contenta while Black bean achieved higher germination at -500 kPa in the laboratory experiment. In the second experiment, soaking seed between 20 and 24 hours resulted in the highest emergence for PAN329 and Contenta respectively. It can be concluded that where water is limiting seed priming can be recommended to help improve stand establishment.