“Optimization of Seed Priming Agents and Concentrations for Enhanced Germination and Early Seedling Establishment in Foxtail Millet Under Germinator Conditions”

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyse the effects of various seed priming agents across different concentrations on the emergence and early growth of foxtail millet. Research was carried out at the Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, in a seed germinator under controlled environmental conditions. Various priming formulations, including hormonal priming (Gibberellic acid), halo priming (ZnSO4, CaCl2, KNO3 and MgSO4), Osmotic priming (PEG 6000), hydropriming, and control, were used. The parameters observed are root and shoot length, vigour indices, seedling dry weight, mean germination time (MGT), germination percentage, germination speed index (GSI) and allometric coefficient (AC). The results showed that priming with KNO3 at 1% consistently and significantly outperformed other treatments, recording the highest germination percentage (74.54%), shortest MGT (2.33 days), greatest GSI (12.28), longest root and shoot length (7.28 cm, 4.36cm), and superior vigour indices (VI-I: 868.20; VI-II: 3.19). These findings establish 1% KNO3 as an optimal priming protocol for foxtail millet under controlled conditions and provide a framework to guide field validation and commercial seed treatment protocols.