Abstract
Two field trials were conducted during the 2012 cropping season at the Fruits and Vegetable Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Science, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (located on latitude N-N and longitude -), to evaluate the effect of priming duration on the growth and yield of amaranth. Treatments consisted of four priming durations (2, 4, 6, and 8 hours) and control (where no priming was applied). The treatments were laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) replicated three times for the germination test and randomized complete block design (RCBD) for the field trial. Data were collected on days to 50% germination, percentage germination, days to 50% emergence, and percentage emergence. Results revealed significant effect of priming duration on days to 50% germination, percentage germination, and days to 50% emergence. Soaking seeds for 2 hours reduced the number of days to 50% germination and emergence and also recorded higher germination. Thus, from the findings of this study, it could be concluded that priming amaranth seeds for 2 hours could be applied to enhance amaranth production.
1. Introduction
Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) is an important leaf vegetable crop cultivated throughout the tropics. The leaves are rich in vitamin A, calcium, and potassium. The seeds of grain amaranth are valued for their high protein content (up to 15%). Amaranth represents the largest source of nutrients of all the vegetables that can be grown in tropical Africa. The leaves of A. cruentus (edible part) represent 76% of the total fresh weight of shoots. One hundred grams contain 84 g water, 4.6 g protein, 1.8 g cellulose, 410 mg calcium, 8.9 mg iron, 5.7 mg beta-carotene, and 64 mg vitamin C [1].
Despite the role of amaranth as one of the sources of vitamins A and B, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, and some other dietary minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, copper, and manganese [1], its Production in Nigeria still remains low as compared to other countries. There is therefore a need to improve its production to meet the demand of the consumers. Seed priming has been identified as the simplest method to improve establishment and subsequent performance of most crops in the tropics where favorable conditions during germination seldom occur. Seed priming prior to planting enhances germination and seedlings growth by controlling the imbibition and reducing the vagaries of adverse weather and soil condition [2]. Seed priming is a practical method to improve rates and uniformity of germination [3]. The effect of priming has been attributed to metabolic repair and activation of seed during water imbibition [4–6].
Hydropriming (hydration of seed with water only) is the simplest approach to increase the percentage and rate of germination and the uniformity of stand establishment under stress conditions especially in dry areas [7–9]. Moosavi et al. [10] reported that hydropriming of amaranth seeds significantly increased germination percentage, speed of germination, root length, and seed vigour in all cultivars. Priming leads to cellular, subcellular, and molecular changes in seeds and subsequently promotes seed vigor during germination and emergence in different plant species [11].
Thus, this experiment was conducted to study the effect of seed priming on the performance of amaranth in semiarid environment.
2. Methodology
The experiment was carried out during the 2012 cropping season and, for both the first and second trials, treatments consisted of four priming durations (2, 4, 6, and 8 hours) and a control (where no priming was applied) making a total of five (5) treatment combinations laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) replicated three times.
2.1. Seed Priming
Seed priming was carried out in the Crop Science Laboratory, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. Seeds of the existing amaranths cultivar were sourced from Sokoto Agricultural Development Programme in Sokoto, Nigeria. The seeds were primed (soaked) in water (hydropriming) for 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours and control (where no priming was applied). 500 mL of water and 50 g of seeds all were used for each treatment. After priming, seeds were air-dried back to their initial moisture content. At the time of experiment, the temperature of the natural water during priming was 29°C and 28°C for the first and the second trials, respectively.
2.2. Germination Test
For both trials, 30 seeds were placed on moist filter paper of 90 mm in diameter in petri dishes for each treatment and replicated three times. Droplets of water were applied everyday on the filter paper to provide adequate moisture for seed germination. Seed was considered germinated when the radicle emerged through the seed coat. Germination count was taken daily for 14 days. Germination percentage was computed using the following:
2.3. Field Emergence
The emergence test was carried out at the Fruits and Vegetable Teaching and Research Farm of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. Sokoto is located on latitude 14°N-15°N and longitude 4°-5°E [12]. Annual rainfall ranges from 380 mm to 763 mm; the dry season starts from October and ends in May or June. During both trials, the seeds were sown through drilling method with a row-to-row spacing of 20 cm at a depth of 0.5–1 cm. Gross plot size was 2 m × 2 m (4 m2) and the net plot was 1.6 m × 1.6 m (2.56 m2). Emergence test involves counting the number of plants that emerged on the soil surface. It was computed using the following:
Data were collected on days to 50% germination, percentage germination, days to 50% emergence, and percentage emergence. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedure for completely randomized design (CRD) using SAS computer package. Means showing significant differences were separated using least significant difference (LSD) test.
3. Results and Discussions
3.1. Seed Germination
3.1.1. Days to 50% Germination
Significant () effect of priming duration on days to 50% germination of amaranth was observed during the second trial and the combined (Table 1). Days to 50% germination was achieved faster with primed seeds in the second trial (2.5, 2.1, 2.8, and 2.0 for 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours, resp.) and the combined (2.2, 2.0, 2.3, and 2.0 for 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours, resp.) than unprimed seeds (4.0 and 3.2 in the second trial and the combined, resp.). Faster seed germination recorded in the primed seeds could be as a result of softening the seed coat, thereby making it easier for the radicle to protrude through it and become germinated compared to the unprimed seeds. This is in line with the findings of Moosavi et al. [10] who reported that seed priming has positive effects on germination characteristics of amaranth as a result of increased peroxidase activity.
3.1.2. Percentage Germination
Significant () effect of priming duration on percentage germination of amaranth was observed during the second trial and the combined (Table 2). Higher percentage germination was recorded with second trial (82.1, 84.5, 80.4, and 84.2 for 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours, resp.) and combined (79.5, 81.5, 79.5, and 80.4 for 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours, resp.) in primed seeds than unprimed (68.3 and 70.3 in second trial and the combined, resp.). This may be attributed to faster absorption of water by the seeds during priming which activates germination process within the seeds but radicle did not emerge through the seed coat. This agrees with results reported by Ascherman-Koch et al. [13] who reported that primed seeds have better efficiency for water absorption from imbibitions medium and it is obvious that metabolic activities in seed during the germination process commence much earlier than the emergence of the radicle and plumule. The differences in germination between primed and control seeds were expected. Such differences were the expected results of earlier activation of physiological process of germination in primed seeds, starting earlier than unprimed seeds. Moreover, priming probably improved germination through enzyme activation and softening of the seed coat [14].
3.2. Seedling Emergence
3.2.1. Days to 50% Emergence
Significant () effect of priming duration on days to 50% emergence of amaranth was observed during the trial (Table 3). Faster seedling emergence was observed for seeds primed for 2, 4, and 6 hours (which recorded 3.3, 3.1, and 2.8, resp.) compared to those primed for 8 hours (5.8) and unprimed (5.7). The finding here could be attributed to the benefits of seed priming in enzyme activation and initiation of germination process that gives the seeds a better start during soaking compared to the unprimed. This agrees with the findings of Ascherman-Koch et al. [13] who reported that primed seeds had better efficiency for water absorption from imbibitions medium and it is obvious that metabolic activities in seed during the germination process commence much earlier than the emergence of the radicle and plumule. Bailly et al. [15] found that primed seeds of sunflower emerged 1–3 days earlier than nontreated seeds and it quickly becomes apparent that these early grains led to a range of later benefits. Also, Basra et al. [5] reported that primed seeds emerged 12 hours earlier than nonprimed seeds.
3.2.2. Percentage Emergence
No significant () effect of priming duration on percentage emergence of amaranths was observed during the trial (Table 4).
4. Conclusions
From the findings of this research, it could be concluded that amaranth primed for 2 hours produces better performance with respect to days to 50% germination, percentage germination, and days to 50% emergence. The implication of this research is that farmers in and around the study area, can now soak amaranths seeds in water for two hours so as to improve their performance.
Conflict of Interests
The authors of this paper have no financial relation whatsoever that can lead to conflict of interests.