The influence of fertilizer-based seed priming treatments on emergence and seedling growth of Sorghum bicolor and Pennisetum glaucum in pot trials under greenhouse conditions

The effect of priming sorghum and pearl millet seeds with fertilizers was investigated. Two experiments were conducted on M35-1 (sorghum) and ICMH 356 (pearl miller), and ICSV 745 (sorghum) and Barmer (pearl millet) seeds, respectively. Treatments included nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium-based treatments which showed that 7.5 g l(-1) of urea substantially enhanced the final germination percentage of seeds. The second experiment included 10 priming treatments with 7.5 g l(-1) urea mixed with other fertilizers. Results indicated that soaking seeds for 3 days in urea + one of several fertilizers including N, P or K-based nutrient compositions or micro elements significantly increased germination percentage and speed but did not affect seedling growth at 15 or 60 days after sowing. It is concluded that seed priming treatments with fertilizers may serve as an appropriate treatment for advancing germination of the species studied.