Physical constraints in sorghum cultivation are frequently beyond the control of resource-poor farmers in rainfed farming systems. Seed priming (soaking seed in water) on the farm has been proposed as a solution to this problem. A number of crops' seeds have benefited from presoaking or priming in terms of better germination, seedling establishment, and in some cases, stimulation of vegetative growth and therefore crop production. The field and lab experiments were conducted at Seed Research and Technology Centre, Hyderabad, to study the effects of priming with distilled water (H2O), Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) Potassium Nitrate (KNO3), potassium chloride (KCl), sodium chloride (NaCl), and Pseudomonas fluorescens on plant stand and yield. In lab studies germination rate, speed of germination, shoot length, root length, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, seed vigor index I and seed vigor index II were measured, while in field studies yield and yield parameters were recorded. Different priming treatments alleviated to varying degrees of germination enhancement and KNO3 was the most effective treatment followed by KH2PO4 in both lab and field studies. It was determined from the findings that fresh seed lot of CSV 29 variety with priming treatment of hydration with KNO3@2% for 6 h proved better on the majority of seed quality and seed yield parameters. Crop seeds can germinate healthily by using the right priming agents and techniques in future research and applications even under adverse soil and weather situations.

Sorghum, seed priming, seed quality parameters and seed yield

•Halopriming was an inherent part of treating seeds with 2% KNO3 for six hours, and it greatly influenced the seed emergence and ultimately yield improvement. •Seed priming, with its ease of use and lack of need for expensive machinery and chemicals, can be utilized as an easy way to deal with issues relating to subpar seed germination and seedling establishment, which supports in sustaining agriculture. •It's important to note that the scope of our research was restricted to a particular grown sorghum type. It will be beneficial to test various varieties under both field and glasshouse trials for this work, keeping in mind that various sorghum types may respond differently to these treatments.

V. Swarnalatha, K. Parimala, K. Prabhavathi and T. Pradeep (2022). Effect of Priming on Seed Quality Parameters and Yield of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 613-618.